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Post by tinkerpearce on Sept 22, 2017 16:02:39 GMT -5
Ran across a Colt Detective Special in .32 New Police with the factory-installed hammer-shroud. It's in nice condition though the plastic 'stag' grips are remarkably ugly. The price? $300!! Why so cheap? The gun has a timing issue. If you slowly cock the hammer manually the cylinder won't turn far enough to engage the cylinder lock. Thumb-cock it normally or pull through double action and there's no problem. Oh, hell yes I did! Put it on layaway anyway.
Not a big issue to fix the problem- I'll probably get to it eventually. Pics when I pick it up, range report to follow!
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Post by seak89 on Sept 22, 2017 16:44:43 GMT -5
Neat find and most likely easy fix
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Post by potatojudge on Sept 22, 2017 21:36:38 GMT -5
Stretching the hand in a D frame isn't too bad, just don't break the part! I believe there are reproduction hands now, but it'd require fitting.
Tinker, from what I've seen you probably already knew that! Neat little guns the DS and particularly in 32.
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Post by tinkerpearce on Sept 22, 2017 21:59:41 GMT -5
OK, Linda had been hinting that perhaps there were some guns I would not mind parting with (she's right) so I parted with them and picked up the Colt.   According to the serial number this gun was made in 1949, and what appears to be the original finish is in remarkably good condition, showing only modest holster-wear. The hammer shroud bears the Colt pony and I am told was installed by Colt as an option; rather rare these days. i couldn't guess the origins of the hideous faux-stag plastic grips, but they are reasonably comfortable and of a piece with the rest of the gun. I'm thrilled with this find, and I may actually get it 'lettered' by Colt. In the meantime I plan to enjoy the hell out of it! |
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Post by potatojudge on Sept 22, 2017 23:42:11 GMT -5
Those hammer shrouds do have surprising value these days. Were it mine I'd look for original stocks that match the condition of the rest of the gun but those franzite? stocks must've been popular at some point because there's tons of them out there.
The flutes couldn't get any longer without delaying the bolt drop. Looks good!
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Post by seak89 on Sept 23, 2017 0:58:38 GMT -5
Looks almost new. Wouldn't doubt the hand spring is just a bit junked and is fine. Its a year younger than me but still born in first half of last century.
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Post by JSutter on Sept 23, 2017 16:27:35 GMT -5
Congratulations on a sweet piece of history! That has to be a special six shooter.
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Post by jfs on Sept 23, 2017 18:21:16 GMT -5
excellent.....
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2017 19:12:14 GMT -5
Ummm... Colts don't lock up the same way S&Ws (for example) do. Even the new ones don't lock up fully until a microsecond before the hammer is released. The cylinder continues to be turned by the hand until the hammer releases. I just checked my Pocket Positive, which is as close to a NOS 112 year old gun, and it's the same way. As was my Cylinder & Slide Python fresh from Laughridge. And my Dick Special, and a really cool old Colt Trooper I'm dying to get my hands on. I can't vouch for the newer King Cobras, Boas, and the later "snakes", but there's a good possibility your Dick Special is just fine. Do have it checked by somebody really familiar with older Colts and their distinct personalities. Come to think of it, a friend has a Kings Custom Official Police, and it's like that too.
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Post by tinkerpearce on Sept 23, 2017 21:04:06 GMT -5
Ummm... Colts don't lock up the same way S&Ws (for example) do. Even the new ones don't lock up fully until a microsecond before the hammer is released. The cylinder continues to be turned by the hand until the hammer releases. I just checked my Pocket Positive, which is as close to a NOS 112 year old gun, and it's the same way. As was my Cylinder & Slide Python fresh from Laughridge. And my Dick Special, and a really cool old Colt Trooper I'm dying to get my hands on. I can't vouch for the newer King Cobras, Boas, and the later "snakes", but there's a good possibility your Dick Special is just fine. Do have it checked by somebody really familiar with older Colts and their distinct personalities. Come to think of it, a friend has a Kings Custom Official Police, and it's like that too. This is what I am hearing- which means I got this gun cheap because it had a non-existent problem... I'd feel guilty about that but it's the gun-shop's job to know what they are selling I suppose. |
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Post by dougader on Sept 23, 2017 21:45:08 GMT -5
A Det Spl is such a great revolver. Nice pick up!
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Post by Rimfire69 on Sept 24, 2017 7:54:57 GMT -5
Nice find, sure like the old .32s
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Post by Ken O'Neill on Sept 24, 2017 8:28:08 GMT -5
Fabulous find! Don't be too hasty in discarding those Franzite grips. They speak to an era just following when the gun was built.
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Post by bula on Sept 24, 2017 8:34:03 GMT -5
I've an older Police Positive .38spec.. It has the same quirk, action-wise. Someone on this forum warned me of it. Don't dilly-dally when working the hammer or trigger and it's ok..
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2017 14:18:07 GMT -5
It's mostly Colts fault. If they hadn't killed off the revolver line more people would be familiar with them. But no, they had to chase the government contracts to the exclusion of all else.Now look where they are...
Don't even consider feeling bad for the gun shop. They didn't know what they're dealing with, and it cost them. It could have gone the other way, just as easily.
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