Colt Detective Special 4th Issue 6-Shot 2″ .38 Special Revolver, MFD 1995

SOLD FOR: $1426

LSB#: 201106MW95

Make: Colt

Model: Detective Special 4th Issue

Serial Number: D9189R

Year of Manufacture: 1995 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: 6-Shot, Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “DETECTIVE SPEC. / .38 SPECIAL CTG.”, the right is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” The side plate has a Rampant Colt logo, the left of the trigger guard has a “VP” in triangle at the front, the rear has a “4”. The crane and cut are marked with the serial number.

Barrel Length: 2”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch in a “U” channel on top of the frame.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black rubber with silver-colored Colt medallions which fully enclose the grip frame and have a pinky-finger groove. The grips have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches in the smooth borders. The checkering is well defined. There are no rips or tears. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The action has minor operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder produces solid full lockup of all 6 chambers with a smooth double action trigger pull, the single action pull is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a blue plastic Colt case with cardboard Colt sleeve, serial matching label and an assortment of factory paperwork including manual. The sleeve has storage wear with fraying and tears at edges and corners, one of the small ears is missing on the label end, in about Fair-Good condition. The plastic case has very minor storage wear, in about Excellent condition.

Our Assessment: The Detective Special has been very popular with law enforcement and civilians who carried a concealed revolver as it allowed for a 6-shot revolver in the same frame size as other revolvers which only offered a 5-round capacity. This example is a 4th Issue with a shrouded ejector rod in Excellent condition with only some light wear in its rubber grips. While this Detective Special would still make a great carry revolver, in its high condition, it would also make a nice piece for a Colt collector. Please see our photos and good luck!