The Colt “Detective” Special model was firstly introduced on the gun market in 1927. It was the first short-barreled revolver in production with a modern “swing-out” frame. It was designed to be a used primarily as a concealable pocket revolver and as the name suggests used by plainclothes detectives.
The “Detective” Special revolver is known although as “snub-nosed”, “snubbie”, or “belly guns” due to its typical shape.
The “Detective Special” a double-action, 6-round cylinder revolver, chambered for a powerful .38 Special, .32 Police, .38 Police. It is available in variants with 2” and 3” barrels. Production of the “Detective” Special was eliminated from the product line in 1995 because of the Colt Company's’ post-bankruptcy business model and weaker sale success.
The “Detective Special” is built on the D frame. This revolver was produced in several series. The first series was developed between 1927-1946. It features a shorter - ejector rod with an un-grooved tip, cylinder latch, wooden grips, a checkered hammer spur, “half-moon: shaped front sights and locking pin -set and an overlapping screw on the right side of the gun. The second series ran in production from 1947 to 1972. Features used within these series are the trigger spur was serrated; the cylinder latch was smooth, longer ejector - rod, 3” barrel variant. The 3rd series ran between 1973-1986. New, oversized wooden grip stocks were developed, with a shroud extended down from the barrel, protecting and enclosing the ejector-rod.
The “Detective” Special uses also revolutionary the Colt’s positive safety lock, the mechanism interposes a bar between frame and hammer until the trigger is pulled, which helped prevent accidental discharges.
Production of the “Detective” Special was discontinued in 1995 when Colt introduced a stainless steel SF-VI gun replacement.
There were several models and variants introduced, well known were the “Baker’s Special” and the “Commando Special”.
The “Colt Detective Special” was a weapon popularly used by police before the pistols replaced the revolvers. It was used as an off duty gun, backup weapon or within shooting sports, and for a personal defense.
