Years ago gun parts were terribly expensive and often almost impossible to obtain. Since the frame had no identifying name and often shared serial numbers with a totally different model, identifying what Colt model you have can be almost impossible in some cases.

Most Colt revolvers had the same thread size and it was often possible to install a barrel from a totally different model on a frame. The problem with identifying a Colt is that Colt only stamped the model name on the barrel. Since these guns shared the same serial number ranges, it can be quite confusing as to just what you have. When he attempts to determine when his Colt was made, it comes back as a totally different model than what is stamped on the barrel. What he has is an aluminum frame Cobra someone installed a Detective Special barrel on. Since many of these guns used the exact same barrel except for the model name stamped on it, we have situations where an owner is convinced he has a rare, unknown model of aluminum frame Detective Special. 38 caliber version of that model in yet a different model range.Įven after Colt began using unique serial numbers in the 1960's, Colt often combined a number of models into one serial number range.Īs example in the late 1960's Colt started combining all small 'D' frame models like the Detective Special, Cobra, Agent, Diamondback, Viper, Police Positive Special, etc in the same serial number ranges.īecause of Colt's serial number systems it may not be possible to identify what model a Colt is based on just the number. 22 revolver serial numbers mixed with a different model Colt, and the. Colt often mixed several models in the same serial number ranges or split models out by caliber.ĭuring the mid-1950's the serial number data is so mixed as to be almost incomprehensible.Īs example you may have a model of revolver made in. To comply with the law, Colt began adding letters to the serial numbers as prefixes and suffixes to make each firearm have a unique number.Īn added issue is Colt's often confusing serial number system. This law mandated that from then on all new firearms had to have a serial number and that number had to be unique. In 1968 the Gun Control of 1968 was passed. Since all Colt's started off at number '1' it's possible to have a number of older Colt firearms all with the same serial number. This can be a most difficult question to answer.įirst, identifying a Colt revolver can be frustrating because beginning in 1840 Colt always started each new model at serial number '1', and progressed upward until the model was discontinued, OR until the mid-1960's when the serial number system changed to meet Federal law.

The second question is often 'What Colt do I have'?īefore you can determine when a Colt was made, you first have to determine WHAT Colt model you have. A common first question for a Colt owner is 'When was my Colt made'.

Colt gun values by serial number