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DA Dates of Manufacture thru 1985

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56K views 46 replies 27 participants last post by  Blackjack33 
#1 · (Edited)
Someone had to do it. Later than this, call Colt.

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Note that there is a likely entry error in other versions of this chart for the Python from 1982 to 1983. Other versions show >K99999 for 1983 implying that K serials "start" at K99999 in 1983. I doubt it. IMO it is more likely that they ran to K99999 then started the T serials or the Ts even ran concurrent. I have shown it that way. However, that does not identify the breaking numbers between 1982 and 1983.
 
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#4 ·
Commando Special

A1A,

The Commando Special is not listed in your types of D-frames. I have one from 1984 with serial number P735xx, but it does not have a K suffix. How sure are you about the "K"?

BTW, the serial number itself has a prefix - D8320 - which I suspect is the model number.


Buck
 
#5 · (Edited)
A1A,

The Commando Special is not listed in your types of D-frames.
This is true. That is because I transcribed the chart from Colt, An American Legend and R.L. Wilson didn't include it. ;) So, it is just another one of the D frames.

I have one from 1984 with serial number P735xx, but it does not have a K suffix. How sure are you about the "K"?
Actually, I am quite sure there is no K. :) This is another case of blindly transcribing, just like Proofhouse. The charts in the book have the K. Since I couldn't build or include a chart in a post, I printed and scanned it and included it as an image. Then I had a hard disk crash and lost the file. So, I erased the Ks using the erase function on the jpeg in Photobucket. If you clear your cache and re-access the post, you will see that they are gone.

BTW, the serial number itself has a prefix - D8320 - which I suspect is the model number.
I presume the D8320 "prefix" is on a box label and not the gun? D8320 is indeed the Commando Special model number. :)
 
#7 ·
Commando Special

I presume the D8320 "prefix" is on a box label and not the gun? D8320 is indeed the Commando Special model number. :)
That must be it. It's not on the gun (which I just dug out of the safe). Funny thing, I've had this gun since it was new, and the box must have have been so marked, but I'll be darned if I remember it or what I did with it. Senior moment, I guess...

Buck
 
#12 ·
Someone had to do it. Later than this, call Colt.


Note that there is a likely entry error in other versions of this chart for the Python from 1982 to 1983. Other versions show >K99999 for 1983 implying that K serials "start" at K99999 in 1983. I doubt it. IMO it is more likely that they ran to K99999 then started the T serials or the Ts even ran concurrent. I have shown it that way. However, that does not identify the breaking numbers between 1982 and 1983.
For what it is worth... I just got a factory letter on my Colt Python 2.5 inch barrel, royal blue, serial number: T994XX that was shipped form the factory on June 17th, 1991. So the "T" serial numbers made it out to to most of 1991 if not beyond.
 
#13 ·
Kinda confused. My 6" Trooper Mark III is marked "21XX9 J" (where x=a whole number 0-9) - this matches nothing here or Proofhouse, although if I read between the lines at Proofhouse, it's a 1973. Is this correct?

Thanks!

Someone had to do it. Later than this, call Colt.


Note that there is a likely entry error in other versions of this chart for the Python from 1982 to 1983. Other versions show >K99999 for 1983 implying that K serials "start" at K99999 in 1983. I doubt it. IMO it is more likely that they ran to K99999 then started the T serials or the Ts even ran concurrent. I have shown it that way. However, that does not identify the breaking numbers between 1982 and 1983.
 
#14 ·
Yes, that chart is a little different. It shows beginning and ending numbers for some ranges, apparently because there were gaps. Usually the charts just show beginning numbers for a year. So, the J suffix numbers started in 1973 with 01601J and continued in 1974 starting at 28801J. Therefore, as you deduced, 21xx9J would be attributed to 1973. :)
 
#30 ·
OK, maybe the chart had me a bit confused, along with the fact the owner said he bought it new about 15 years ago. New to him, he forgot how long ago he bought it, or it sat in a store for a long time. That is actually good news to me since I wanted an 80s era Detective Special in like new (or any) condition. Thanks for clearing up my confusion (momentarily). A1A, I don't want to clog up this thread with non born on questions, but do you know what size wood stocks would be used for an 81 Colt Detective Special? I only owned one from the 50s that had a rounded grip/frame. Feel free to message me the answer, if you know, and thanks again for the quick response.
 
#31 ·
Hi everybody! I`m a proud Python owner and I need some help breaking down the serial number. Looking at the charts it says that serials starting with a V are from 1979? but my numbers don`t seam to match up. My Python`s Serial is: v237XX.

I never gave much thought as to the year of my pistol. I bought it used about 5 or 6 years ago for $800. Spent my tax return on it and couldn`t be happier. I don`t see them pop up often. So I bought mine as soon as I laid my hands on it. It`s only a shooter,it`s nowhere near mint but it`s still the most elegant and classy pistol I own.

Thanks for your time and help!!
 
#32 ·
Looking at the charts it says that serials starting with a V are from 1979? but my numbers don`t seam to match up. My Python`s Serial is: v237XX.
Welcome to the forum. If you start with this thread: http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt-revolvers/7348-dob-date-birth-questions-please-look.html and refer to the Proofhouse.com charts, you will see that the V prefix serials actually start in 1978 wit V01001. However, those charts only cover through 1978, so looking at this chart, 1979 starts with V36767 . So yours dates to 1978. :cool:
 
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