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Colt DS 32 NP 1978

1712 Views 14 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  rickruddell
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I just bought this 1978 32 NP Detective Special this morning. I didn't think that Colt made a unshrouded DS in this time period. The serial number is 13650R. What do you think? These are cell phone pictures from the gun show.

John

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I think when Colt went to the shrouded barrel for the .38 Special chambered Detective Specials they had leftover .32 NP barrels and cylinders so they made a run of these. Basically a parts cleanup gun. Neat Colt.
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I have a minty un-shrouded DS that is un-fired with only a slight cylinder turn line. Colt's serial number look-up (if you can rely on it) dates it to 1977. If anyone knows better, please chime in.

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she is a beautiful colt.
Actually, you won't find a 32 Colt N.P. Colt D frame with the heavy barrel/ejector rod shroud . As of 1972 and later the heavier barrel were 38 Special DSs, Cobras, & Agents only.

As Colt75 mentioned, these were parts clean up guns, and ultimately, the last run of them made. Some came the larger wood stocks (combat?) some came like durjon's :cool:
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There is just something cool about an un shrouded Colt DS
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Very nice looking piece durjon! The DS is one of my favorites! Great find:)!
My agency had one of these in the armory for probably twenty years. It was, unfortunately, used in a suicide and that is how we ended up with it. No one ever signed it out and it was subsequently destroyed about fifteen years ago per county policy. Remarkably, it was in excellent condition. Wish someone could have bought it and used it for a more benign purpose...
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I see 3 different 32 DS's with 3 different types of stocks. Colt must have used what ever was available at the time of assembly.
I see 3 different 32 DS's with 3 different types of stocks. Colt must have used what ever was available at the time of assembly.
Exactly. Most manufacturers will do the same thing, it's part of cost accounting!
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I wonder what information a letter from Colt would have on a gun like this. The gun is in excellent condition and I will have to post some better pictures of when I get a chance.
Joe Salter has a .32 DS (1975 era) with smooth grips....a bit different than the ones pictured above. Is in the box - but a bit rich for me.
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