Colt Detective Special (1949)

[Newk]

I know that "Serious Collectors" are not fond of "restored" old
guns, but have a "bad habit" of doing so, if I can save enough
pennies.

The pictures are of a Colt Detective Special that I was fortunate
enough to obtain along with the stag grips.

Enjoy.

Newk, Middle TennesseeRestored Guns 024.jpgRestored Guns 025.jpg

[Colt-SL]

First off Newk, welcome to the Forum and making your first post! Depending on the gun, some folks shy away from a restored gun especially if rare, highly collectible etc. But if it pleases you to have a nicely finished gun, do it. Your DS was obviously done well and looks great! Feel free to post it with many others here: Colt Detective Special photo thread...

Nice to have you onboard.

[Newk]

Thank you sir. I do in fact catch a lot of flack for restorations. You should hear all of the trash I have received on another site for having Colt restore a 1911 Colt .45 U.S.Navy (mfg'd in 1918)

[Derry 1946]

Welcome, Newk! Sure is a beauty. I think about having mine redone (pre-war-style DS), but with all the wear it has, I feel good about carrying it every day. A little more wear won't matter! But when I see how great yours looks, I'm mighty tempted.

Derry

[Newk]

Derry:

I catch a great deal of flack because I used to add a gold trigger, hammer, or something as my "mark".

My old retired gunsmith made fun of me due to my strange requests. He called his restoration process
"Black Nickel". During the years he was in business he restored a few long guns as well as pistols using that
process. He was quite good at his trade.


This old DS was not in very good shape. The grips were excellent and they deserved to be on a better looking
weapon.

[Nick B.]

That DS looks splendid 'neat not gaudy' love the gold on the hammer and trigger (I would have been tempted to do the cylinder release as well) I think it sets off the dark colouring of the revolver very nicely.

NB

[Newk]

Thanks Nick:

I did not think about having the cylinder release done. That is a good idea. Unfortunately my old gunsmith retired
after his wife passed away.

I had another gun, S & W first edition .32 lemon squeezer/Saturday night special nickel plated with some gold as well.
I found an extra cylinder for it, so I had one nickel and one gold.

The original pearl grips are on it. Sorry my picture quality "sucks".
Restored Guns 022.jpg
The Old Man, in Middle Tennessee

[Nick B.]

That is a very elegant 32 , English Bob would have been proud to carry it.
I would like to see it with the gold cylinder in situ.
I saw a similar gun a while back that had been case hardened and then blued it gave a kind of flame affect , the trigger was gold and the clinder had the flutes gold washed it was a real eye catcher.
I think that 32 of yours would stop traffic with the gold plated cylinder in place.
It's a shame the age of elegance seems to have passed.

NB

[Newk]

Thanks NB:

I seem to have a case of "Old Timers Disease", so I will have to remember where I hid the "gold" cylinder. LOL

I will look for it this weekend and try to get a good picture of it for you.

In lieu of that I will attach a photo of a Colt .45 US Navy (mfg'd 1918). I had it restored by Colt Mfg. Co in 2010Picture 006.jpg

[Newk]

NBI sent my check to S & W today for the letter of historical authenticity.I am anxious to know the origin of the old "Lemon Squeezer". I believe the model was referred to as the "New Departure". I hope to find out soon.The Old Man