I was issued both the Police Positive 4” in uniform & the Detective Special (DS) as a detective. In ‘74 I used that DS in a gunfight w/three armed robbery suspects and came away unhurt.
I don’t have any Colt DS but I do own two S&W 10-5’s. One square butt (1962) and one round butt (1975). Both with there boxes and all original. I love the snubby pistols too, such classics!
My Detective Spcl, made around 1975 AD, is one of my prized possessions. Shoots great. Still shoots great. It always surprises me how well it shoots at even longer distances. I keep it loaded with ammo very similar to the traditional Treasury Agent Load, and always feel well-armed, since I shoot it so well.
I enjoyed this historical and informative article. I now own a 1976 vintage Colt .38 Detective Special (blued) with 2" barrel. Mine is third generation (1973-1986) with shrouded ejector, improved ramp sight, and hand filling walnut grips. The first generation Colt .38 Cobra (1950-1972) didn't have these features, but the second generation (1973-1981) did. Personally I much prefer these features. The first generation Colt .38 Cobra (unloaded) weighed 15 oz. vs. 17 oz. for the second generation. Of course, Colt's Detective Special, Agent, and Cobra were 2" or 3" barrel variants of their classic D-Frame Police Positive Special revolver (1907-1995). These are the classic .38's of "Crime Noir." They have all appeared in numerous cop and detective movies over the generations. Same for the J-Frame Smith & Wesson Model 36 and 37 Air weight Chiefs Special, and it's stainless version , the Model 60. It's lamentable the Colt .38 Cobra (first generation) used by Jack Ruby to kill Lee Harvey Oswald on November 24th, 1963 wasn't instead owned by a decent woman for personal armed defense, vs. a sinister figure who had links to organized crime and the underworld! It would have been an ideal carry gun for a woman kept discreetly inside her purse or handbag, next to the bed, or to have in an unplanned emergency such as being broken down, isolated, and alone (especially after dark) while inside her vehicle. Today I would personally select Ruger's SP-101 .38 Special revolver with 2.4" or 3.1" barrel, in stainless steel, as my personal carry and bedside .38. It may be a little heavy for a pocket or carry gun? With a good holster that would easily fit inside a jacket or coat pocket, especially during the cold winter months. Finally, Ruger's SP-101 is rated for + P .38 Special ammo, the older vintage .38's weren't .----Jim Farmer Klamath County, Oregon
I have a 1971 model that I just had to have because of French Connection. I carry it quite often and I prefer it to modern guns. It worked great then and still works great today.
I have two Colt Cobras… the lightweight aluminum frame version of the detective special…. One from 1968, and an LAPD example from 1966, (which has been “neutered”, to mean that it is double action only). Although the recoil is harsh, they shoot extraordinarily accurately, despite their short barrels. Awesome video, love the older revolvers.
I actually own two Cobras as well LOL. Both made in 1963 and yes, they shoot great. I've just never made videos on them but probably will now that I'll be doing a set of videos on old Colts.
I am a retired police officer. 36 years, 1973-2009. This gun was, indeed, very popular with detectives, especially through the 1980s. Until really compact 9mms at reasonable prices were available the Detective Special and the S&W Chief Special were the most commonly carried plainclothes and off duty handguns. Many detectives wrapped rubber bands around the grip and stuck the gun in their waistband. The rubber bands prevented the gun sliding down past the belt. I have one that I carried as a back up to my duty revolver and off duty, and also a S&W Model 40 Centennial I carried off duty. I carried mine as a backup stuck between my wide duty belt and my uniform pants belt, between a couple of belt "keepers", in a "small of back" position. Worked great. Never fell out, and was always available as a quick "reload", so to speak. I went into plainclothes duty in 1990 and, by that time, the small revolvers were on their way out as duty weapons. I carried a SIG P228 throughout my plainclothes duty...but when I needed a gun that concealed better, I carried the Colt. Or the S&W. Or both. Now retired, I still carry the Colt and also a S&W Model 642 as a concealed carry handgun. The debate has always been over the 5 round capacity of the S&W and 6 round capacity of the Colt. I have both. The S&W is a little easier to conceal...but just a little, and mostly because it has smaller grips. The Colt has an extra round capacity, but the advantage of going from 5 to 6 is not so great to be a major concern. I haven't lost any sleep over it in 48 years.
@@kylewood8327 Well, that is a choice you are free to make. FWIW, I can tell you that in 36 years as police officer in one of the most dangerous cities in America, I never had a situation I couldn't solve with 5 rounds that *would have been* solved with 6 rounds. And for personal self defense, I consider 5 rounds a fair trade for improved concealment. That said, I DO still own both 6 round and 5 round small revolvers. My duty pistol for 19 years was a 13+1 and my primary concealed carry handgun is an 8 +1 autoloader. So I am not opposed to more ammo on board, I just don't consider it a priority in my handgun choice. I rarely carry the Detective Special anymore, because when I want a smaller handgun (like when I went to the doctor yesterday and surf fishing this morning) the S&W 642 is such a great little pocket gun! The Detective Special, not so much. Not only is it bigger/heavier, it has a hammer spur. The 642 does not. So...for THAT purpose, I will take the 5 shot Model 642 any day of the week.
I started to watch this video and halfway through I paused it and pulled out my Colt Detective Special. It’s a late 1960’s and it’s in superb condition.
Great compilation of a classic Colt. This and the Banker’s Special are personal favs of mine. BTW- the original box with case candy...you featured commands a premium price and collectors seek them out. I think there is a scene in “The Godfather Part II” where he’s showing Al Pacino how to use the Colt in the famous murder scene. If I remember correctly that’s a detective special in that scene as well. I love all the photos you showed and very few know about the Fits special as it is very rare. The first time I saw one I was stuck by how dangerous it was having the trigger guard cut away.
Thanks. Yeah, the Fitz is an insane design when it comes to the trigger guard but I guess it would theoretically get you firing that much quicker in a shootout.
I have been gifted my parents 1964 Detective Special awhile back and quite honestly didn't realize just how "special" this gun is until now. I was about to mistakenly sell it but will definitely not now. Thanks for the video.
Found my lightly used 1994 vintage DS in a nearby gun shop a few years ago. The bluing was & is still beautiful. The ejector rod is encased under the bbl. and it has factory pachmayrs with the rampant Colt logo. Think I paid about 150.00 for it. .....Was issued S&Ws OTJ in the 70s/80s.
I have the Detective Special, Cobra and Agent. All slender barrel unshrouded versions from the sixties to early seventies. The Cobra and Agent are two of my favorite street guns ever and both are still in routine use currently. I use a Bucheimer Clark upside down shoulder rig, a Bucheimer Federal Man or Concealer belt holster or one of the modern synthetic pocket holsters for all of the guns. The Cobra is customized, with the hammer spur removed and the top of the hammer serrated for thumb cocking as was sometimes done on Fitz Specials and period smooth black Pearlite grips I rebuilt. I honed the actions on the Detective Special and Cobra as well. The Agent was already as smooth as could be from the factory. I think the Agent, which is one of the very last tapered barrel versions made from 1972, may be the favorite. Somehow it's short grip is just perfect for me, and it's extremely fast from the upside down rig. Nobody expects a gun to come from that position anymore either. It confounds young gun guys, who don't have revolvers and haven't ever seen anything like it. 😏 Agents are also barely larger than a Smith J-frame, and actually have a shorter grip. I also have the original box for the Detective Special with the wrapping and little cleaning brush from the factory. Though I have many S&W revolvers dating back to the early 1900s, in my heart I'm a Colt guy... 😌
@@ObjectHistory Thanks. I do especially love my vintage firepower and gunleather. There's also a S&W Model 36, 37, 40, 640, 49 (nickel), 2" M15, 2 1/2" M19, 2 1/2" M686, 4" M64, and a 5" Webley Mk IV .38-200 in the regular battery. Plus a bunch of other Colt and Beretta autos. 😛
Have owned a Cobra and 2 Detective Specials, all with barrel shrouded ejector rods, (post 1973) and all printed groups at about 11 o clock at 25 feet. Know where your sidearm hits.
Internet Movie Firearms Database says it was a Colt as does this page... entertainment.ha.com/itm/movie-tv-memorabilia/gene-hackman-jimmy-popeye-doyle-colt-detective-special-38-ctg-revolver-from-the-french-connection/a/997049-1677.s#:~:text=Colt%20Detective%20Special%20.-,38%20CTG%20revolver%20from%20The%20French%20Connection.,and%20dark%20brown%20wooden%20grip.
Just fyi your example of the police positive and the "detective special of indiscriminate age" was actually an official police which was a larger heavier revolver.
Quite plain and effective pistol. Every noir-bad guy likes to hold one on their hip aimed at person they want to spook. Certainly not something you just ignore for not being a proper gun like S&W Model 29.
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I was issued both the Police Positive 4” in uniform & the Detective Special (DS) as a detective. In ‘74 I used that DS in a gunfight w/three armed robbery suspects and came away unhurt.
Woah. Glad it served you well and you made it out of that.
Man the story’s you could tell! 👍🏼
That 1974 gunfight was a wild & scary experience and I’m guessing luck was on my side that night.
How did they come away ???
@@oldcop18 hey Old Cop, I tried to find this story by Mas Ayoob. I can’t find it. Any chance you could tell it?
I love older guns and vintage cinema. I have a Colt DA .38 1895 and I’m currently looking for a detective special. Great video! 🤠👍🏼
Thank you. Agreed for sure.
I don’t have any Colt DS but I do own two S&W 10-5’s. One square butt (1962) and one round butt (1975). Both with there boxes and all original.
I love the snubby pistols too, such classics!
Great now do the Colt 1903 , pocket hamerless automatic, another Bogey favorite...
A classic with long solid history.
My Detective Spcl, made around 1975 AD, is one of my prized possessions. Shoots great. Still shoots great. It always surprises me how well it shoots at even longer distances. I keep it loaded with ammo very similar to the traditional Treasury Agent Load, and always feel well-armed, since I shoot it so well.
Nice. I have to acquire one some day.
I enjoyed this historical and informative article. I now own a 1976 vintage Colt .38 Detective Special (blued) with 2" barrel. Mine is third generation (1973-1986) with shrouded ejector, improved ramp sight, and hand filling walnut grips. The first generation Colt .38 Cobra (1950-1972) didn't have these features, but the second generation (1973-1981) did. Personally I much prefer these features. The first generation Colt .38 Cobra (unloaded) weighed 15 oz. vs. 17 oz. for the second generation. Of course, Colt's Detective Special, Agent, and Cobra were 2" or 3" barrel variants of their classic D-Frame Police Positive Special revolver (1907-1995). These are the classic .38's of "Crime Noir." They have all appeared in numerous cop and detective movies over the generations. Same for the J-Frame Smith & Wesson Model 36 and 37 Air weight Chiefs Special, and it's stainless version , the Model 60.
It's lamentable the Colt .38 Cobra (first generation) used by Jack Ruby to kill Lee Harvey Oswald on November 24th, 1963 wasn't instead owned by a decent woman for personal armed defense, vs. a sinister figure who had links to organized crime and the underworld! It would have been an ideal carry gun for a woman kept discreetly inside her purse or handbag, next to the bed, or to have in an unplanned emergency such as being broken down, isolated, and alone (especially after dark) while inside her vehicle. Today I would personally select Ruger's SP-101 .38 Special revolver with 2.4" or 3.1" barrel, in stainless steel, as my personal carry and bedside .38. It may be a little heavy for a pocket or carry gun? With a good holster that would easily fit inside a jacket or coat pocket, especially during the cold winter months. Finally, Ruger's SP-101 is rated for + P .38 Special ammo, the older vintage .38's weren't .----Jim Farmer Klamath County, Oregon
Those early square Butt variation are the most desirable.
I have a 1971 model that I just had to have because of French Connection. I carry it quite often and I prefer it to modern guns. It worked great then and still works great today.
Nice! Yeah, the craftsmanship is superb.
I have a 1970 model - she is sweet ❤️ and as good today as when she was new .💪🏼Colt !
Yep
I have two Colt Cobras… the lightweight aluminum frame version of the detective special…. One from 1968, and an LAPD example from 1966, (which has been “neutered”, to mean that it is double action only). Although the recoil is harsh, they shoot extraordinarily accurately, despite their short barrels. Awesome video, love the older revolvers.
I actually own two Cobras as well LOL. Both made in 1963 and yes, they shoot great. I've just never made videos on them but probably will now that I'll be doing a set of videos on old Colts.
I still have the Cobra purchased in 1968 for off duty carry.
I am a retired police officer. 36 years, 1973-2009. This gun was, indeed, very popular with detectives, especially through the 1980s. Until really compact 9mms at reasonable prices were available the Detective Special and the S&W Chief Special were the most commonly carried plainclothes and off duty handguns. Many detectives wrapped rubber bands around the grip and stuck the gun in their waistband. The rubber bands prevented the gun sliding down past the belt.
I have one that I carried as a back up to my duty revolver and off duty, and also a S&W Model 40 Centennial I carried off duty. I carried mine as a backup stuck between my wide duty belt and my uniform pants belt, between a couple of belt "keepers", in a "small of back" position. Worked great. Never fell out, and was always available as a quick "reload", so to speak.
I went into plainclothes duty in 1990 and, by that time, the small revolvers were on their way out as duty weapons. I carried a SIG P228 throughout my plainclothes duty...but when I needed a gun that concealed better, I carried the Colt. Or the S&W. Or both.
Now retired, I still carry the Colt and also a S&W Model 642 as a concealed carry handgun. The debate has always been over the 5 round capacity of the S&W and 6 round capacity of the Colt. I have both. The S&W is a little easier to conceal...but just a little, and mostly because it has smaller grips. The Colt has an extra round capacity, but the advantage of going from 5 to 6 is not so great to be a major concern. I haven't lost any sleep over it in 48 years.
Great information there. Thanks for writing.
Given the choice I’d take 6 shots over 5 anyway of the week!
@@kylewood8327 Well, that is a choice you are free to make.
FWIW, I can tell you that in 36 years as police officer in one of the most dangerous cities in America, I never had a situation I couldn't solve with 5 rounds that *would have been* solved with 6 rounds. And for personal self defense, I consider 5 rounds a fair trade for improved concealment.
That said, I DO still own both 6 round and 5 round small revolvers. My duty pistol for 19 years was a 13+1 and my primary concealed carry handgun is an 8 +1 autoloader. So I am not opposed to more ammo on board, I just don't consider it a priority in my handgun choice.
I rarely carry the Detective Special anymore, because when I want a smaller handgun (like when I went to the doctor yesterday and surf fishing this morning) the S&W 642 is such a great little pocket gun! The Detective Special, not so much. Not only is it bigger/heavier, it has a hammer spur. The 642 does not.
So...for THAT purpose, I will take the 5 shot Model 642 any day of the week.
@@garyK.45ACP Well, that’s a choice you are free to make.
I started to watch this video and halfway through I paused it and pulled out my Colt Detective Special. It’s a late 1960’s and it’s in superb condition.
Mine was made in 1938. Great weak hand gun in .38 special.
I always like your research and power point production 👌
Thank you Pat!
Love these classics. It would be a good carry gun. They hold up well.
Absolutely. My Cobras (have two) are about 60 years old and make great carry pieces.
Just paid $800 for one that seems to be pretty much unused, maybe only fired at the factory. And yes, I am going to shoot it a bit and carry it a lot.
Great compilation of a classic Colt. This and the Banker’s Special are personal favs of mine. BTW- the original box with case candy...you featured commands a premium price and collectors seek them out. I think there is a scene in “The Godfather Part II” where he’s showing Al Pacino how to use the Colt in the famous murder scene. If I remember correctly that’s a detective special in that scene as well. I love all the photos you showed and very few know about the Fits special as it is very rare. The first time I saw one I was stuck by how dangerous it was having the trigger guard cut away.
Thanks. Yeah, the Fitz is an insane design when it comes to the trigger guard but I guess it would theoretically get you firing that much quicker in a shootout.
What a beauty.
I have been gifted my parents 1964 Detective Special awhile back and quite honestly didn't realize just how "special" this gun is until now. I was about to mistakenly sell it but will definitely not now. Thanks for the video.
Love reading that!
I have a Ruger SP101, stainless, and put on Hogue grips.
They are real nice also.
The Ruger SP101 is a really beautiful gun, I especially loved the contrasting grips.
I have a 1957 Colt Cobra ,identical except it's an alloy frame .Really great gun.
I have a 1963 Cobra! Just haven’t made a video on it.
Found my lightly used 1994 vintage DS in a nearby gun shop a few years ago. The bluing was & is still beautiful. The ejector rod is encased under the bbl. and it has factory pachmayrs with the rampant Colt logo. Think I paid about 150.00 for it. .....Was issued S&Ws OTJ in the 70s/80s.
Very cool
Good video. I purchased the night cobra just because of the cinematography history of the colt cobra
Thanks. I really need to get one.
I have the Detective Special, Cobra and Agent. All slender barrel unshrouded versions from the sixties to early seventies. The Cobra and Agent are two of my favorite street guns ever and both are still in routine use currently. I use a Bucheimer Clark upside down shoulder rig, a Bucheimer Federal Man or Concealer belt holster or one of the modern synthetic pocket holsters for all of the guns. The Cobra is customized, with the hammer spur removed and the top of the hammer serrated for thumb cocking as was sometimes done on Fitz Specials and period smooth black Pearlite grips I rebuilt. I honed the actions on the Detective Special and Cobra as well. The Agent was already as smooth as could be from the factory. I think the Agent, which is one of the very last tapered barrel versions made from 1972, may be the favorite. Somehow it's short grip is just perfect for me, and it's extremely fast from the upside down rig. Nobody expects a gun to come from that position anymore either. It confounds young gun guys, who don't have revolvers and haven't ever seen anything like it. 😏 Agents are also barely larger than a Smith J-frame, and actually have a shorter grip. I also have the original box for the Detective Special with the wrapping and little cleaning brush from the factory. Though I have many S&W revolvers dating back to the early 1900s, in my heart I'm a Colt guy... 😌
Sounds like an amazing collection man
@@ObjectHistory Thanks. I do especially love my vintage firepower and gunleather. There's also a S&W Model 36, 37, 40, 640, 49 (nickel), 2" M15, 2 1/2" M19, 2 1/2" M686, 4" M64, and a 5" Webley Mk IV .38-200 in the regular battery. Plus a bunch of other Colt and Beretta autos. 😛
Have owned a Cobra and 2 Detective Specials, all with barrel shrouded ejector rods, (post 1973) and all printed groups at about 11 o clock at 25 feet. Know where your sidearm hits.
Nice, and good point.
I would think it’d be easier to fire from inside a pocket without the front of the trigger guard. I could be wrong but it kinda makes sense.
Seems like it would be easier for getting your finger on the trigger, yeah.
You forgot to mention the frame. It's made out of steel where the agent and the Cobra are aluminum frames!
Dang, I own a Cobra (actually two) too so I know that. Can't remember if I mentioned that in the video, probably not since I was focusing one the DS.
Mine is a .32 caliber
I have one from 1951. I'll hang on to it because we were both born the same year! Shoots like new. The gun, not me!
Ha. Yep, so well made.
I have my father’s old colt. It was manufactured in 1963 I found out.
That's the year my two Colt Cobra's were made! Can't remember if I said that in the video or not.
great research
Thanks Matt
I finally found me a 1966 Colt Detective Special. It’s in real good shape, unfortunately no box but that’s ok.
Nice. Yep, those boxes must be really rare.
what year would serial #355957 be from??? Thx
Not really my specialty but I tried to look it up and that doesn't come up. Maybe it's part of a serial number?
I believe Hackman used a Smith in French connection
Internet Movie Firearms Database says it was a Colt as does this page... entertainment.ha.com/itm/movie-tv-memorabilia/gene-hackman-jimmy-popeye-doyle-colt-detective-special-38-ctg-revolver-from-the-french-connection/a/997049-1677.s#:~:text=Colt%20Detective%20Special%20.-,38%20CTG%20revolver%20from%20The%20French%20Connection.,and%20dark%20brown%20wooden%20grip.
Elliot Ness was a fan of the detective special.
Oh man, great tidbit of history. Thanks.
Why is it that in two ocaisions you spell COLT
CULT is that something deliberate? Are you male or female? Other than that good video!
Just fyi your example of the police positive and the "detective special of indiscriminate age" was actually an official police which was a larger heavier revolver.
Dang it. These freakin’ videos are harder to make than they seem. So easy for a mistake to slip through.
I noticed that also ,you can tell by the way the frame is "scalloped" at the top of the trigger .
@@davidschaadt3460 I think the Police Positive has a lighter Barrell and frame as well.
The original police posetive was on a smaller frame, but yes the detective special was a 2 inch version of that revolver.
Quite plain and effective pistol. Every noir-bad guy likes to hold one on their hip aimed at person they want to spook. Certainly not something you just ignore for not being a proper gun like S&W Model 29.