Old Colts

[Trooper Joe]

Cobra 1952





Detective Specials

This thing started by me buying that well worn but tight and accurate Colt Cobra. It had really crappy grips so I added a pair of aftermarket grips (real hard to find with the "long" grip frame/this gun was made about 1952).

Next a found a very nice 1966 era Cot Detective Special with the exposed ejector rod. A few weeks later, I found a 1973 era shrouded ejector rod model with very little wear on it.

I had one of these "D" frame Colts (it may have been an agent and maybe with a shrouded hammer) when I first started in police work in 1965 at the Lansing, Michigan police department.

I may carry the well worn Cobra since I can't do any more harm to the finish that what is already done. The shrouded Detective Special is definitely a keeper to show guys and shoot it at the range.

My local dealer has a nice 1971 Colt Police Positive I sold him last year and I may try to work out a trade for the exposed ejector rod Detective Special and some cash.

Kind of like these old Colts even though I have a real love affair with S&W J K and L frame revolvers.

Colt's new Cobra sort of got me going on these again as well as finding the old 1952 Cobra. If I do get the new Cobra which is stainless steel and rated for +P, I will try out the Buffalo Bore "FBI" load in it.

I guess I am getting sort of tired of all the plastic guns even though I carry (in my truck) a Glock 19 which I qualify annually with for my LEOSA (nation wide) carry permit.


Trooper Joe

 

[dgludwig]

"Old Colts" are a real pleasure. You've got some good ones, Trooper Joe.

 

[mk70ss]

My vintage DS

 

[Armybrat]

Those are some nice DS you got there Trooper Joe. I like the ones with the shrouded cylinder pin.

Besides a handful of Civil War era Colts, my oldest is this 1978 SAA .357:

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Did somebody say Old Colts?

New Service. 45 Colt, 1906 at the top, 44-40, 1907 at the bottom.

Army Special, 38 Special, 1921.

Various Police Positive Specials. 1922-1952. Except the Police Positive Target, 22 LR, 1936 at the far right.

Single Action Army, Bisley Model, 38-40, 1909.

Official Police, 38 Special. Have not dated this one.

Detective Special, 38 Special. Have not dated this one either.

 

[SaxonPig]

Don't have too many old Colts. I do have a 5" Army Special in 38 Special stamped for the St. Louis PD. Dates to 1924.

My most senior Colt is this Officers Model Target from 1909 with a post 1935 replacement barrel.

 

[djont57]

A really terrible picture of a nice 1929 Police Positive Target .22

 

[Rothdel]

A few of mine

Official Police 1943 vintage
Cold Pocket - 1912


For some reason i cant find a picture of my Trooper MK III or my Agent with the hammer shroud. Both look better than the two picture.

I received the Agent as a gift from my father in law. He purchased it in the navy fired two rounds through it and put it away in a safe he did not open till he learned of my interest in firearms.

 

[Mike Irwin]

For many years I had no interest in Colts. I was a dyed in the wool S&W man.

Then, a few years ago I was watching Public Enemies with Johnny Depp, and in a jailbreak scene he opens an arms locker and there's just row after row of Colt revolvers.

Something went snap in my brain and I decided that I needed to get some Colts.

I now have a Police Positive Special in .32-20 (Damned sweet!), an Official Police 6" in .38 Special, and a Police Positive in .32 New Police (.32 S&W Long).

 

[dgludwig]

I now have a Police Positive Special in .32-20 (Damned sweet!), an Official Police 6" in .38 Special, and a Police Positive in .32 New Police (.32 S&W Long).

Nice revolvers all, for sure (especially that Police Positive chambered in .32 New Police); all you need now to complete your "practical" (i.e., no Python) Colt revolver collection imo is a Cobra/Agent and a Officers Model Match/Officers Special. I'm kind of a closet Colt fan too, as my first and last loves when it comes to revolvers have Smith & Wesson stamped on the barrel.

 

[4V50 Gary]

Nice collection Driftwood Johnson.

 

[Mike Irwin]

This is the Police Positive...

Best date I've been able to find for it is 1935ish. It's in fantastic condition but for a chip out of the bottom rear of the left grip. I've seen a number of Colts with the exact same chunk out of the grips in the past. I'm wondering if it was a flaw or some sort of weakness...

This is the Official Police

I really like this particular revolver. The trigger is absolutely incredible.

 

[McShooty]

Colt Police Positive, .38 Colt New Police, circa 1914 unfired. This gun was the property of A. E. Bargren, Chief of Police of Rockford, Illinois 1894 - 1940.

 

[tallball]

I will have to remember to upload the picture when I get home from work. I have an Army Special (IIRC) similar to Driftwood's, but the finish is more worn. I think mine was from the 20's also.

I read so much about how nice the triggers are on the old Colts that it seemed like I really "needed" to have one. Its sights and trigger are definitely better than those of my S&W 38 special from the same era. (That is my evaluation of those two specific examples; I'm not trying to make a general statement.)

 

[SIGSHR]

Among my treasures is a 1968 Colt Official Police with the satin nickel finish.

 

[Lavan]

Detective Special with THREE inch barrel.

 

[4V50 Gary]

McShooty - that is beautiful. What a rich blue it has.

 

[dgludwig]

Thanks for setting me straight-I thought it had a nickel finish.

 

[44 Deerslayer]

I bought this .32 New Police back in the 70's. It was part of a special run Colt did back then, a Detective Special old style, no shroud. I still have the original box and paperwork. I never did get around to shooting it.

 

[ShootistPRS]

How can someone own a gun for more than a week and not shoot it?

I must have an illness because I get violently ill if I have not fired a gun within a week of buying it. I am usually out at the range the same day just to ward off the anxiety attacks.