A disturbance in the Force...

[NIGHTLORD40K]

....told me I should go back to the gunshow today.

I scored an unfired Ruger Mk2 on the way out yesterday. Overall it was a good show, and there were a few nice pieces I wanted to take another look at if they were still there.
This one was new. Older gentleman had set up a table with some really choice, collector-grade Colts from his personal accumulation. Prices were high, but fair given the condition.
He also had this-

1981 Second-Gen Colt Detective Special.

The seller said this was his personal carry gun for many years, but shot very little.


It's definitely got a "been there, done that" patina, but the lockup is perfect. The seller said he had dropped it and cracked the grips years ago, but he did a pretty good repair and refinish.

Considering what these go for these days, I'm was happy to hand over the 5 bills the fella was asking and promised to give it a good home.
I'll probably do a little bluing touch-up and carry it myself.

 

[horsemen61]

Awesome revolver

 

[Ed]

I’ve owned 2 of those. Wish I still had one.

 

[StrawHat]

NL40K,

I am not at all familiar with that brand nor the way the grips should fit. This question is purely for my education. They appear to not go to the horn on the grip strap. Is that normal for Colt?

Thank you.

Kevin

 

[armoredman]

$500? Nice!

 

[Mark_Mark]

....told me I should go back to the gunshow today.

I scored an unfired Ruger Mk2 on the way out of the show yesterday. Overall it was a good show, and there were a few nice pieces I wanted to take another look at if they were still there.
This one was new. Older gentleman had set up a table with some really nice, collector-grade Colts from his personal accumulation. Prices were high, but fair given the condition.
He also had this-
View attachment 1194126
1981 Second-Gen Colt Detective Special.

The seller said this was his personal carry gun for many years, but shot very little.
View attachment 1194127

It's definitely got a "been there, seen that" patina, but the lockup is perfect. The seller said he had dropped it and cracked the grips years ago, but he did a pretty good repair and refinish.
View attachment 1194128
Considering what these go for these days, I'm was happy to hand over the 5 bills the fella was asking and promised to give it a good home.
I'll probably do a little bluing touch-up and carry it myself.

You got that for a 5 beat!!!! that’s a GREAT price, and I don’t even know prices that well

 

[beeenbag]

Oh man, that’s a good find! Not sure I’d even bother with touching up any bluing. Honest wear is a thing of beauty

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

NL40K,

I am not at all familiar with that brand nor the way the grips should fit. This question is purely for my education. They appear to not go to the horn on the grip strap. Is that normal for Colt?

Thank you.

Kevin

Those grips were pretty much unique to the 2nd Gen Detective Special. They look and feel great in the hand, but you need a high grip on the gun or it does tend to flip a lot. If I end up carrying it, Ill swap them for some Pachymars.

 

[Miami_JBT]

....told me I should go back to the gunshow today.

I scored an unfired Ruger Mk2 on the way out of the show yesterday. Overall it was a good show, and there were a few nice pieces I wanted to take another look at if they were still there.
This one was new. Older gentleman had set up a table with some really nice, collector-grade Colts from his personal accumulation. Prices were high, but fair given the condition.
He also had this-
View attachment 1194126
1981 Second-Gen Colt Detective Special.

The seller said this was his personal carry gun for many years, but shot very little.
View attachment 1194127

It's definitely got a "been there, seen that" patina, but the lockup is perfect. The seller said he had dropped it and cracked the grips years ago, but he did a pretty good repair and refinish.
View attachment 1194128
Considering what these go for these days, I'm was happy to hand over the 5 bills the fella was asking and promised to give it a good home.
I'll probably do a little bluing touch-up and carry it myself.

That's a 3rd Gen DS to my knowledge. The shrouded ejector rod was introduced on the 3rd generation from what I've seen. I have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen guns and only the 3rd Gen has the shrouded ejector rod out of the batch that I have.

1st Gens were 1927 - 1946
2nd Gens were 1947 - 1972
3rd Gens were 1973 - 1986
4th Gens were 1992 - 1996
SF-VI/DS-II were 1997 - 1999/2000

 

[Pat Riot]

Congratulations @NIGHTLORD40K. You made a good deal.

My Colt DS was made in ‘82 and it was the primary carry gun of a Detective Sergeant on the Monterrey County, CA Sheriffs Dept.
It has some scratches and wear which, to me, makes it look great.
I traded @Gordon a Glock 26 and a few mags for it. I think I got a good deal on that trade. Actually, I got a great deal on that trade.

here it is pictured with my S&W 36

It shoots great with my wadcutter loads. I didn’t get it for carry. I got it because i had wanted a Colt DS since i was a little kid watching “cops & robbers” shows and movies. I have this corny joke my wife rolls her at, but the Colt Detective Special that even Superman is afraid of. He ducks when one is thrown at him.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

That's a 3rd Gen DS to my knowledge. The shrouded ejector rod was introduced on the 3rd generation from what I've seen. I have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen guns and only the 3rd Gen has the shrouded ejector rod out of the batch that I have.

1st Gens were 1927 - 1946
2nd Gens were 1947 - 1972
3rd Gens were 1973 - 1986
4th Gens were 1992 - 1996
SF-VI/DS-II were 1997 - 1999/2000

I subscribe to the generally accepted collector classification system that divides these into "Issues" and "Generations" with the pre-shroud, pre '73 guns being 1st Generation, and the shrouded guns being 2nd Gen. By that convention, this one would be a 2nd Gen. or 3rd Issue. Interestingly, the only difference between a 3rd and 4th Issue is the change from wood to rubber Pachymar grips.
Neither of these systems were officially used by Colt, but I think most Colt collectors recognize them thusly.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

$500? Nice!

Thanks! The same seller had an identical gun, in 98% condition he was asking $900 for, and there is a LNIB example at one local shop with $1100 on the sticker.......
Besides, those were way too nice to carry. I can actually pack this one and not feel bad about it.

 

[vanfunk]

Congratulations on an excellent find! Real deals at Gunshows around me are few and far between; you scored a diamond for $500!

 

[StrawHat]

Those grips were pretty much unique to the 2nd Gen Detective Special. They look and feel great in the hand, but you need a high grip on the gun or it does tend to flip a lot. If I end up carrying it, Ill swap them for some Pachymars.

Thank you. As I mentioned, Colts are foreign to me. Learning something each day is my goal. You have helped me in that pursuit.

Kevin

 

[Miami_JBT]

I subscribe to the generally accepted collector classification system that divides these into "Issues" and "Generations" with the pre-shroud, pre '73 guns being 1st Generation, and the shrouded guns being 2nd Gen. By that convention, this one would be a 2nd Gen. or 3rd Issue. Interestingly, the only difference between a 3rd and 4th Issue is the change from wood to rubber Pachymar grips.
Neither of these systems were officially used by Colt, but I think most Colt collectors recognize them thusly.

Most collectors I know use the system I do since because of the parts interchangeability issues between guns.

While Colt never used classified their guns as such. Even they have expected it as such, under the table.

 

[Mark_Mark]

DS Fan CLUB!!! look at that profile!!

and a bent rod too! just like my old Buck Regal 1982!

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Paid 7 Benjamins for a mid-70s Dick Special in prime condition last year, so you did well!

 

[nofendertom]

Mark Mark --- Love the finish or lack of on that DS.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Paid 7 Benjamins for a mid-70s in prime condition last year, so you did well!

Mark Mark --- Love the finish or lack of on that DS.

I’m looking for a decent condition non shrouded one. Hard to find.. I’ll do 700!

 

[theotherwaldo]

I've got a rare local gun show this weekend.
Y'all just talked me into going... .

 

[doubleh]

That looks good enough to just use as it is. Good price too.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I've got a rare local gun show this weekend.
Y'all just talked me into going... .

get a cool blast from the pass gun!

 

[MikeInOr]

I bought my P38 from a Luger collector at a great price because it wasn't really his thing. A few years later, at the same promotors gun show, I bought my Luger from a P38 collector for a very reasonable price because it wasn't really his thing. I still have both.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I bought my P38 from a Luger collector at a great price because it wasn't really his thing. A few years later, at the same promotors gun show, I bought my Luger from a P38 collector for a very reasonable price because it wasn't really his thing. I still have both.

P-38 is the Coolest Modern Gun out there!

I’m looking for one too! & a C96 & a Black Widow

 

[Miami_JBT]

P-38 is the Coolest Modern Gun out there!

I’m looking for one too! & a C96 & a Black Widow

I want a Red 9.