Detective Special

[MUFC]

Hi everybody, I just registered here to see if I could get some info on a revolver. It was given to me by my late step-father, along with a lot of other rifles and pistols. He told me before he died to use the guns or sell them and buy myself something that would make me happy. Most of the rifles I kept or knew enough about them to know what they were worth, but I'm just not a pistol guy and my wife shoots semi-auto pistols. I would like to either sell this pistol or trade it for something for my wife - she bought me a .338 Lapua and a .308 for Christmas and I was under the impression we weren't buying each other Christmas presents last year. I'm sure that won't be the last time that happens. She handles the money in the house so it's hard for me to surprise her with anything big but I just thought about this pistol and thought I'd see what I could do with it.

Anyway, here's the details:

SN: F530xx
Bluing is in good shape on the frame but has some worn off on the cylinder and the wood grips look new. The hammer is silver and has some discoloration on the tip of it, might just be dirty. The picture of the front of the cylinder didn't turn out very good, the bluing isn't as bad aa it looks. It's actually rubbed off on just the very ends of the flutes, not halfway down like the flash made it look. Hopefully I uploaded the pics correctly.
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[Pendennis]

It looks like you have a 1974 Detective Special, 3rd Generation. I'm not sure, but that may be some rust on the hammer. It looks like it's been carried a lot. To remove the rust from the hammer, try some 0000 steel wool soaked in oil. You may also consider taking it to a reliable gunsmith for a thorough cleaning.

[MUFC]

Thanks for the info. It really doesn't look like rust, the stuff on there is completely black. I haven't tried to clean anything yet, wanted to make sure the gun wasn't something special that I shouldn't mess with. I almost made that mistake once with an old Sharps rifle. After a good scolding for even thinking about cleaning that gun, a family friend that's a gunsmith and collector told me to never clean a gun until I know more particulars with it. Unfortunately, he's gone too or I would've just taken it to him for advice.

[A1A]

Welcome to the forum. The black corrosion on the sides of Colt hammers is common. Colt finished their hammer sides "in the white" with a brushed finish, about 400 grit by my observation. There is a technique to return it to original appearance: Colt Hammer Question. I would suggest you have your wife shoot it before disposing of it. That might just make you happy.

[Lawman67]

Once you sell it ,you will have done something you will regret. The Colt Detective Special was the finest 2 inch 38 revolver ever made. You will never see the likes of them again,and down the line it it will always be worth more . I am a revolver guy ,but I have I have a Colt 25 auto that I will never sell because it was given to me by my father.Some guns just need to stay in the family.

[StandingWolf]

The Colt Detective Special was the finest 2 inch 38 revolver ever made.

There are some other snubby revolvers I've liked a lot, but to be fair about it, my Detective Special is the best of the best. I'd be very hesitant to sell that gun, MUFC, before your wife has put a couple hundred rounds through it.

[MUFC]

Thanks for the responses. I understand what everybody is saying about not getting rid of it but she has shot it and just doesn't like it.

I got three of them from him. I'm keeping one that has never been shot, I gave a nickel one to my mom because it was his service revolver, and I was going to sell the third. I don't think I'll ever use the new one I'm keeping but it'll make a nice safe queen. It has an F520xx serial number - I'm guessing made around the same time.

[broknaxl]

those are nice snubbies. I'm surprised she doesn't like it. Maybe some different grips?? Anyway, I'd say it's worth $450.00 ton $550.00 - unless some better photos show otherwise - either way.

[Scionti95]

I found one, appears to be same series as yours and payed $575.00 out the door. Blueing was excellent. Showing no holster wear at tip of barrel or on cylinder. Included box with the matching serial #'s as well as the styrofoam insert for the revolver. Stocks were perfect also. Seller told me that he had picked it up with some others from an estate. Cleaned it up when I got home, but there was nothing to clean. Barrel, cylinder, etc. spotless. Couldn't pick up dirt anywhere. The turn line on the cylinder was at best "very faint".Had been looking for one in this condition for a long time. Felt that I got lucky at this price. This is definitely a keeper. It has found a new home.

[MUFC]

Thanks again everyone. I think my plan will be to try and get $500 for it in trade towards a 1911 that she wants.