[spm]

Admin, if this is in the wrong subforum, please place it where appropriate with my appolgies.

I happened to notice a small brown spot at the very front on the side of the blade front site on my Detective Special. Hopefully, you can see this in the pic. I assume it's rust as this is my EDC. I don't mind honest holster wear, but rust is a different matter.

The front site being a dull finish, unlike the rest of the gun (For obvious reasons), a light test stroke with a copper brush seemed to make it worse. So my question: if it is rust, how do I remove it without damaging the rest of the gun? And after I remove the rust, what do I use to replace the finish so it doesn't recur? If it isn't rust, what is it and what can I do?

Thanks for your help.
Steve

 

[capstan]

when I enlarge the pic,it looks like it might be a tiny spec of rust. I would soak it in breakfree or kroil overnight and then Id rub it with a rag and see if I could get it off or at least most of it so its not that noticeable. It looks like a very miniscule spot. I agree I hate rust also. id rather have some smooth bluing wear than a spot of rust but yours looks pretty insignificant.
Is this a reblued gun? It looks like the "D" in det spl. is almost gone or maybe that's just the angle of the photo?

 

[spm]

when I enlarge the pic,it looks like it might be a tiny spec of rust. I would soak it in breakfree or kroil overnight and then Id rub it with a rag and see if I could get it off or at least most of it so its not that noticeable. It looks like a very miniscule spot. I agree I hate rust also. id rather have some smooth bluing wear than a spot of rust but yours looks pretty insignificant.
Is this a reblued gun? It looks like the "D" in det spl. is almost gone or maybe that's just the angle of the photo?

Thanks for the response, capstan.
You're right, it isn't much. It just bothers me. I have some breakfree, so I'll try that first.

As to your question about reblued, I asked that question when I bought it and was told "Not that I know of", which was a pretty safe answer. And to be honest, until you mentioned it I never noticed that the "D" is almost gone as is the "3" from 38. The other side of the barrel looks sharp as does the pony. (Additional pics attached.) If it was, I think it was done very well. Regardless, I like the gun and as I said carry it every day so I'm not going to let that bother me.

Look at these pics and tell me what you think.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Oyeboten]

The 'Rampant Colt' appears quite crisp.

Might just be a heavy Factory Buffing on some areas, and, not on others, and, thus, an original Blueing and not a re-Blue.

 

[ussmanlovede36]

it does look like a refinished DS but if it's your carry gun why worry about it. I wouldn't worry about that little rust spot or patina.

 

[JudgeColt]

I do not think the gun is refinished. The "soft" lines and "pulled" lettering are just normal (poor) Colt quality in those days.

If a tiny speck of rust worries you on a carry gun, then have it refinished in Armaloy or some similar "rust-proof" finish.

As an aside, the best product I have found to use to remove surface rust is the Big Frontier Metal Cleaner.

 

[spm]

I do not think the gun is refinished. The "soft" lines and "pulled" lettering are just normal (poor) Colt quality in those days.

JudgeColt, The serial number of my gun has it manufactured in 1974, per Proof House. I always thought the poorer quality came out in the 80s, when the 4th Version was brought out. Am I wrong about that?

Again, I"m not complaining about the gun, just curious.

BTW, I just wiped it with a cloth and some Breakfree and it came off. Then gave it a new coat of Renaissance.

Thanks for all the responses.
Steve

 

[JudgeColt]

While the 1980s are considered the primary time of poor quality, there were lapses before that. To me, this one just looks over-polished. What characterizes the "4th version" from your 1974 example?

 

[spm]

While the 1980s are considered the primary time of poor quality, there were lapses before that. To me, this one just looks over-polished. What characterizes the "4th version" from your 1974 example?

I thought this, the 1974 mfr, was considered the third version, and the DS was discontinued after 1978. Then it was brought back in the 1980s as the 4th version. Is that not correct?

s.

 

[ussmanlovede36]

While the 1980s are considered the primary time of poor quality, there were lapses before that. To me, this one just looks over-polished. What characterizes the "4th version" from your 1974 example?

it seems to me poor quality in the 80's applies to S&W as well. I don't know why.

 

[JudgeColt]

I thought this, the 1974 mfr, was considered the third version, and the DS was discontinued after 1978. Then it was brought back in the 1980s as the 4th version. Is that not correct?

Since Colt did not assign "versions" to the Detective Special, it would be presumptuous to say any way of identifying a "version" of the Detective Special is correct or incorrect. However, in my opinion, using such a term is misleading. I shall explain.

The Detective Special was introduced in 1927 as a variation of the Police Positive Special. These early guns had a square butt. I would call these guns "First Version." In 1933, the butt was changed to what Colt calls "round butt," which would be “Second Version.” After World War II, the front sight was changed from round to ramped, which I would call “Third Version.” These early Post-War guns had plastic stocks, which were changed to wood in the mid-1950s. I do not consider the stock material as another “Version,” but some might. In 1966, the butt frame was shortened, which is “Fourth Version.” In 1972, the shrouded barrel was introduced, which I count as “Fifth Version.” In 1984, Colt introduced a "discount" version of the Detective Special with matte finish called the Commando. Some might consider that another “Version” of the Detective Special. I do not because the Detective Special remained in production during that time. The Detective Special and Commando were discontinued for 1987. Colt redesigned the lockwork in 1995 and introduced the SF-VI, which could be called the “Sixth Version.” It was replaced by the DS-II in 1997, which could be called the “Seventh Version.” The DS-II was discontinued after 1998. The Magnum Carry was introduced in 1999 and could be called the “Eighth Version.” The Magnum Carry was discontinued in 1999, along with all other Colt revolvers except the Python, which is now discontinued as well.

It seems to me the best way to identify a Colt Detective Special is either by year or period of manufacture and/or by features (such as Pre-War Square Butt, Post-1965 -- Pre-1972, abbreviated butt and unshrouded ejector rod, etc.). As I have tried to illustrate, there are a lot more "versions" (or "issues" as the "Blue Book" uses) than the "Blue Book" recognizes.

 

[spm]

JudgeColt, A lot more "Versions" than I realized. BTW, my use of the word version was my own and I didn't mean to imply that it was Colt's official designation. I appologize if I mislead.

As I said, mine was manufactured in 1974, has the ramp front sight, shrouded ejector rod and the full wood grip. So, I guess that would put it in your "Fifth version".

Thanks for the information.
Steve