Colt Detective Special .32 S&W Long (Colt New Police), 2-inch D-Frame, Blued, 6-Shot Revolver — 1977–1978, Unshrouded Ejector Rod
This late-1970s Colt Detective Special stands out as a compact, six-shot D-frame revolver chambered in .32 Colt New Police (.32 S&W Long). It features a 2-inch barrel, classic blued carbon-steel construction, and fixed sights. The unshrouded ejector rod configuration and barrel rollmarks add desirable period-correct details, while the R-suffix serial places it in early 1978 per Proofhouse. Its excellent condition and original checkered walnut service stocks with gold Colt medallions make it a clean, well-preserved example.
Condition
Overall Condition: Excellent condition, showing only faint signs of any prior use or handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: This example displays minimal indications of prior use.
What’s Included
- Colt Detective Special revolver
This Detective Special is built on Colt's compact D-frame with a 2-inch barrel and a six-round cylinder, offering a slim profile with traditional steel construction. The finish is a deep blue, consistent across the frame, barrel, and cylinder.
It is chambered in .32 Colt New Police, which is interchangeable with .32 S&W Long. The left side of the barrel is rollmarked "DETECTIVE SPEC." over ".32 COLT N.P. CTG." and the Colt rampant pony is stamped on the frame.
Sight configuration is clean and functional: an integral, serrated ramp front sight and a fixed rear notch in the topstrap. The action is double-action/single-action with a smooth trigger face and an exposed hammer featuring a checkered spur.
This revolver uses the unshrouded ejector rod pattern typical of pre-1973 examples. Notably, the R-suffix serial falls in the early 1978 range per Proofhouse, pairing classic features with late-1970s production.
The factory checkered walnut service stocks have the gold Colt medallions and the round-butt D-frame profile, completing a classic configuration made in the USA.