Colt Diamondback .38 Special 4-inch Blued Revolver (1977) — D-Frame "Snake Gun" with Vent Rib and Adjustable Sights
This 1977 Colt Diamondback is a classic D-frame "snake gun" in .38 Special with the desirable 4-inch barrel, blued finish, and factory adjustable sights. It features the Diamondback's signature ventilated rib and shrouded ejector rod, along with Colt's hand-fitted V-spring lockwork. Included factory box and manual add useful period context for this example.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are some scratches and blemishes present. A few small spots of pitting are visible on the crane. Minor scorching is present around the forcing cone, consistent with normal firing. The action cycles smoothly, and lockup is tight.
What’s Included
- Colt factory wood-grain cardboard box with Diamondback end label (finish B, 4-inch barrel, .38 Special)
- Manual
Built on Colt's steel D-frame, the Diamondback pairs a ventilated-rib barrel with a full shroud over the ejector rod, a configuration that visually echoes the Python and earned the Diamondback its "Baby Python" nickname. This example is chambered in .38 Special with a 4-inch barrel, a practical length that balances sight radius and handling.
The sights are set up for precision: a ramped front sight and a fully adjustable rear sight. Internally, Colt's V-spring, hand-fitted lockwork delivers a DA/SA action noted for its smooth cycling. A service-style trigger and a wide, checkered hammer spur with bright sides round out the controls.
The revolver wears checkered walnut stocks with gold Colt medallions and a single-screw attachment. The Colt Rampant Pony logo is present on the frame, and the serial marking is located in the crane/frame recess as typical for the model.
Manufactured in the United States in 1977, this blued-steel, six-shot Diamondback reflects the adjustable-sight, ribbed-barrel configuration that distinguishes it within the D-frame line. The included factory box displays the period-correct end label notations for finish "B," barrel "4," and caliber "38," and the manual is present.