Detective Special pricing

2091 Views 15 Replies 12 Participants Last post by 11866, Dec 23, 2013

what would you say

Discussion Starter · Dec 21, 2013 (Edited)

Saw a DS at the local shop today. If I read the serial on the tag correctly, if was prefixed BO . I looked that up on proof house and looks like a 1970 gun. 2 " barrel. Tag says it comes with the box, although I didn't verify box condition. I know very little about this Colt model, but the good ol inter-web provides some basic things. It had the shrouded ejector rod and blue book put that as indicating a 3rd series DS. Also, it has black pachmayr grips with a silver colt medallion if memory serves. Not sure if the grips are original for the time period of the gun. The gun looks 99% on the left side. I didn't ask to take it out to fully inspect because the price tag says $995. That struck me as a bit Mount Everest sort of steep on the coinage for the gun. I did a few searches and it appears mint may not necessarily run that much on gunbroker. So the big questions are any chance the grips could be original and if so, is it still a little high even if the box turns out to be great shape and matching..( not sure on that yet). The cylinder looks real nice. Lightest of turn lines and slight bluing wear in the notches. Muzzle and sharp edges are perfect. Bluing is clean and dark. Hammer is nice with polished sides no tarnish

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sheepdawg

· #2 · Dec 21, 2013 (Edited)

It's not a 1970, the 3rd series started in 73 I believe. That or it's been rebarreled.

Pricewise, that's high,

what would you say

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 21, 2013 (Edited)

sheepdawg said:
It's not a 1970, the 3rd series started in 73 I believe. That or it's been rebarreled.Pricewise, that's high,

Some quick research and I'm coming up with the same info that 3rd series indicated by a shrouded ejector, started in 1973. I did snap a photo, and the writing indicates a serial B0 prefix...if I read it right. I did not verify the serial number on the tag actually is the serial number on the gun, so there could be a mistake/mismatch right there. This is the exact reason I ask questions and try to get opinions on photos before I buy a Colt that is a model that I'm unfamiliar with. Looking forward to more input on this gun and what might be going on with the serial and configuration.

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ponyup

· #4 · Dec 21, 2013

That price in my neck of the woods is on the order of $300.00 high. But, you can not run down to the local K Mart and pick one up.

I stopped trying to justify, or find any middle ground on Colt prices some time ago, after turning away from some I really liked,( over a few bucks), to regret it forever more.

As to the grips being original in that time frame. I think the DS came with the wrap-around "target" type of wood grips.

11866

· #5 · Dec 21, 2013 (Edited)

I do not study DS's religiously, but I am pretty sure those grips are not original to the 1970's era. Everything I have ever seen was wood from the 70's, someone correct me if Im wrong.

That being said, I have handled that exact style of grips in the past before, and I loved them. Maybe not pretty, but I actually like the look of them for real world use, and they really fit the hand well. If I read the picture right, it says $999? To each his own but sure seems high to me, even if it had matching grips. JMO.

TFlyboy

· #6 · Dec 21, 2013

You have a party gun ... yes, looks like someone had a party with it.

Serial number - appears to be a Series 2
Barrel shroud - Series 3 or Series 4
Composite grips - Series 4? And, would the series 4 DS's also have the bannered logo on them? (The DS-II's did, but not sure about a Series 4 DS).

With those variations, no documentation, the price, and your being new to the DS model - I would look for a better candidate. JMO

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MtnSpur

· #7 · Dec 21, 2013 (Edited)

If it's a 70's DS it should have the walnut stocks without medallions. Price seems steep to me. Hard to assess condition in a blurry picture but something doesn't add up. I think you can do much better.

These would be the stocks on a 70's era DS (this is a '76):

Firearm Gun Revolver Trigger Starting pistol

EDIT: I replied to the OP on my tablet without being near reference material. The B prefix began in 1970 and for that particular serial number listed on the tag you seem to have an anomoly of the wrong configuration coupled with a 70's serial number and wrong stocks/grips. The markings on the barrel aren't readable so I'm assuming this isn't an older DS-II iteration. Sometimes the clerk makes an error but in this case - ALL indications are: Back away from the counter and shop elsewhere.

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JS22

· #8 · Dec 21, 2013

I just looked at my third issue DS I purchased last summer. Since you were reading that serial number off the tag, is there a chance that it started with 30 instead of B0? My serial number begins with 30 and dates to 1977 I believe. I bought this one at a gun store with no box 600 OTD. I thought that was a little high but it was also the only one I had seen in there.

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what would you say

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 21, 2013

It sounds like what the basic story here is there is a lot that doesn't add up if the serial is correct... Hind sight being 20/20, I wish I had verified the serial on the gun just to figure out the puzzle here, and viewed the box as well. Bottom line, if it was all legit and original factory, I could still find a another complete DS at a little better price for a third series... Or whatever this series is. I did see in my searching that a 2nd or 1st would climb in price accordingly.

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ussmanlovede36

· #10 · Dec 21, 2013

I would go back and check the box out. maybe then you would have more info in order to decide. also double check that serial number. I do know colt issued their DS with those grips in latter production. cabelas prices on colt DS is in that neighborhood. and you can always offer less, I do.

Cruiser RN

· #11 · Dec 21, 2013

That price is wayyyyy to high and you can get LNIB with the right grips for less.Walk away

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Ronald12

· #12 · Dec 21, 2013

When something like this is already at 250.00 no wonder nice DS's are high price. Ron

Colt Detective Special 38spl 6 shot NO RESERVE! : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

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TFlyboy

· #13 · Dec 21, 2013 (Edited)

Ronald12 said:
When something like this is already at 250.00 no wonder nice DS's are high price. Ron

Colt Detective Special 38spl 6 shot NO RESERVE! : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

That one's a really rare 2¼" barreled DS's

bsmalley23

· #14 · Dec 21, 2013

If your looking for a DS, check our classifieds, another member had one from '70 with box for $750. Within the last month I believe. I was gonna buy it but then didn't. He even emailed more pics and it was a great looking gun and box was legit. I still want it, but just snagged an Anaconda and low on funds.

mtidasnubby

· #15 · Dec 21, 2013

That appears to be what some folks refer to as a 4th generation DS made in the mid 1990's. The correct factory case is hard plastic with an outer sleeve. I have owned several but that price is too high.

11866

· #16 · Dec 23, 2013

Composite grips - Series 4? And, would the series 4 DS's also have the bannered logo on them? (The DS-II's did, but not sure about a Series 4 DS).

I believe the answer to this question is a "No." I have never seen a true DS with bannered logo grips on them.

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