Colt Agent - Born On Date?

C

ctc

New member
I recently aquired a new (to me) Colt Agent. Seems to be in very good condition. But there was no info with it.

The serial number is D-176XX - who knows the mfg date?

Also, any suggestions for tracking down one of the manuals that would have come with it?

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Thanks,
-- Chuck
 
Its hard to tell by your pic but that agent does not look like a pre 1971 piece? does it have an enclosed ejector rod? also looks like it has the newer ramp front site instead of the half moon site?
 
I thought Colt agents were made for only few years in mid to late 1980's.

I believe these were made to compete against S&W "J" frame revolvers in terms of price since Dick Specials were about 25% to 35% higher in price than S&W. Colt Agents were nothing more or less than Dick Special with economical finish.
 
The Agent was introduced in 1962 (or 1966, depending on who you believe) as basically the Colt Cobra with a slightly-shortened butt and smaller walnut grips. Pre-1972 versions don't have the ejector rod shroud:
 

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Post-1972 versions have the ejector rod shroud, as in this picture. Between about 1984 and 1986 the Agent was made in a rough, no-frills parkerized version, which is what the original post seems to show.
 

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Thanks for all of the replies - hopefully we can narrow this down

It does have the shrouded ejector rod and the parkerized finish (though it is inpretty good condition) and a ramped front sight.

I had thought it was a mid 70's but am now confused. Does the smooth, large wlanut grip provide any clues? When I was shoppping it seemed that the ones advertized as mid 80's had the narrow checkered grips. Also, IIRC there have been discussions about a severe downturn in Colt quality during the late 70's earlier 80's. This one seems, mechanically very sound - something agreed to by several others who have handled it.

Here is a little closer picture:

200210172669358391490457.jpg



-- Chuck
 
I'm fairly confident that the numbers are correct - the pre-fix is open to interpertation. It's either a "D", "U" or "V" the stamp is fairly blurred.

I tried to take a picture and do a little enhance:

200210185851717005230179.jpg


-- Chuck
 
My guess is that it's a "W." I have an Agent identical to yours that I purchased from an acqaintance who bought it new in the mid-80s. SN: W280xx. The number is also stamped on the crane (the swing-out arm that holds the cylinder). The letter on the crane is clearly a "W," while the one stamped on the frame looks almost exactly like yours.
 
SaxonPig - Thanks - It could be a W - though the stamp on the crane actually looks more like a "V" , they both are fairly poor.

-- Chuck
 
Thanks Flusher, that answers the question about when the Agent first came out. I have two references that mention it. One says 1962 and the other claims 1966.
 
GH: There are some subtle differences between your Agent, which by the way is a really nice pix, and my 1962 Agent which is a lousy pix.
1. The Rampent colt on the 1962 is just forward of the frame screw.
2. The firing pin on the 1962 doesnt have that cross pin
I always thought the Agent was same frame as Cobra with the former just having longer grips similar to the Det. Special
 
I only wish it was mine. The pre-72 Agent photo is one I found on the web when I was trying to put together some info on my own Agent, a mid-80s style like ctc's. As far as the frame goes, you're right, the Agent was simply a Cobra with a tad shaved off the butt and wearing slightly smaller and thinner grips. It's all of 1/2 ounce lighter than the Cobra, which hardly seems worth it, but I guess the smaller handle made it more concealable under those 1960s trench coats.
 
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