Requested my first Colt historical letter today.

[Malysh]

I called Beverly Haynes and requested a letter for the 1941 square butt DS I bought a few weeks ago. The serial number is 476239. I'm expecting and hoping this gun will letter as US govt. procured. Maybe it was obtained for Army CID, OSS, or Army counter intelligence. Ms. Haynes said it would take about 4 months to get the letter.

BTW: the 1940s square butt DS that a member linked from a Gunbroker auction early this week sold for $1475. It is serial number 474817 and the Colt letter states it's from 1944 and was used in a display at the front entrance of Colt's Main Office Building until 1956. It was then sold as a used gun to Hudson's Sporting Goods in NYC in 1957. I find the serial number interesting since it's 1,422 numbers lower than my gun which lists as made in 1941. I think it was another one Colt's made up for the Army that never was shipped to the government.
Colt Detective Special 1944 : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com

[MtnSpur]

My fingers toes and eyes are crossed fer ya bud. Good things happen to good people so I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say you'll be pleased with the outcome. Darn good thing I went and bought that '76 just a few days or so after your auction. But hey, I wanted the shrouded ejector DS first before I started aiming for another in the timeframe yours falls into

Jeff

[Malysh]

Thanks, Jeff!

[Colt-SL]

I have a good feeling for you, that it will letter the way you expect it to. Sending good 'vibes' in the direction of Colt's for you. I'm currently waiting on two. The wait is MURDER!

[majdad93]

I'm both excited and a bit confused as to the Archives Letter process. According to Colt's Mfg. website, the cost for lettering my Officer's .45 ACP will be $100.00. No problem. Can any of you more experienced Colt "Lettermen" give me an idea as to how long the process takes? Four months seems to be a common answer.

Also, in reading the printable form at Colt, they want a picture enclosed as part of the supporting documentation. Yet I read of many Colt owners just picking up the phone and calling Ms. Haynes. Whassup? Can I do it this way, too? Thanx, everyone.