Mint Colt Diamondback .22 LR 4 Inch Double Action DA Revolver & Box Manufactured 1969
SOLD FOR:$2,552.00
Make: Colt
Model: Diamondback
Serial Number: D29264
Date of Manufacture: 1969
Caliber: .22 Short, Long and Long Rifle
Action Type: Single and Double Action Revolver With Swing-Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “Diamondback / .22 Long Rifle”. The right side of the barrel is marked “Colt’s PT. F.A. Mfg. Co. Hartford CT. U.S.A.” The crane cut is marked “D29264”, “K” and “33”. The crane is marked “D29264” and with a mark we can’t identify, but could be a “B”. The left side of the frame is marked with a Rampant Colt logo. The left side of the grip frame at the front of the trigger guard is marked “0” and with the Verified Proof.
Barrel Length: The vent rib barrel with full underlug is 4” in length.
Sights / Optics: This revolver is mounted with a square notched rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation and pinned to the top strap. The front sight is a serrated ramped blade on top of the vent rib. The top of the rib and frame have a matte finish to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are oversized checkered walnut with gold colored Colt medallions. There is a compression mark on the top rear of the left grip and a shallow compression mark at the bottom rear of the left grip. The checkering is sharp and without flaws. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: High Luster Blue
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion, but there is slight fouling.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its finish. There is a very light mark on the left side of the barrel behind the lettering and a few thin compression marks behind the rear sight on the top left edge of the top strap, a tiny mark on the front edge of the frame and a tiny mark on the bottom of the trigger guard. The cylinder doesn’t really have a drag line – just a hint of a line that you need a magnifying glass to spot. There are a few faint marks in the grooves leading to the bolt stop cuts. The knurling on the ejector rod and the serrations on the trigger and wide target style hammer are sharp. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The lock-up on this revolver is PERFECT, with absolutely no play. The trigger is extremely smooth in double action, and breaks crisply at about 4 lbs. in single action. The action functions correctly. We have not fired this revolver.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a factory box with paperwork and a Colt screwdriver fob. The box is cardboard, with an imitation wood covering on the lid and a black colored bottom that is red on the inside. The top of the lid is marked “COLT” in gold letters and has a factory end panel which correctly describes the make, model and barrel length of this revolver. One side of the bottom of the box is folded over to form a fitted area for this revolver, and the underside surface is marked in white with the serial number of this revolver and faintly in black with “2-3-90 / 024171”. The outside of the box shows a small spot of thinning on the lid, thinning on the corners and side edges, and spots of thinning and handling marks on the underside of the bottom of the box. One of the corners of the lid is frayed. The underside of the lid shows wear marks from grip and the front of the barrel. Overall, the box is in about Fine condition. The paperwork consists of a pamphlet marked “Handling the Handgun” from Colt, a warranty card and a test target. The pamphlet and warranty card have one edge folded over and are in Very Good condition. The test target is signed and dated with the model and serial number of this revolver and shows a 5 shot 1 3/8” group shot at 15 yards from a rest. The screwdriver fob is round, has three different width screwdriver blades, and is marked “Pistols / Colt / Revolvers” on one side and with the Rampant Colt logo on the other. It is blue with a hole for attaching to a key chain and is in Excellent condition.
Our Assessment: Inspired by their success with the Python, Colt released the Diamondback in 1966 in .22 LR, .22 WMR and .38 Special calibers. It was designed as a deluxe model and has a serrated wide target hammer, ventilated rib, target quality sights and a full length barrel underlug. If this revolver is typical, then Colt certainly achieved their goal. The tight lockup and smooth action are duplicated only by those of the Python in a production revolver. This revolver is in fantastic condition with just a few faint marks in the finish that you really need to look for in order to spot. It will make an excellent addition to a Colt collection or a good choice as the first gun in a collection. This revolver will also make a great choice for someone who wants to practice target shooting with a heavy rimfire revolver with the same weight and feel as their centerfire target revolver. It is especially good for those with large hands who want or need oversized grips. This revolver has been extremely well cared for and with its box will make a great present for someone.
