The Cobra was manufactured using an alloy frame that Colt dubbed “Coltalloy.” The guns were offered in four different calibers-.38 Special. Like the venomous reptile it was named after, this sixgun was light and agile-almost 6 ounces lighter than the Detective Special.
While technically a lightweight Detective Special, the Cobra evolved a life of its own, being what was to become the first of the now vaunted “seven serpents”-the Cobra, Diamondback, Python, Anaconda, Viper, Boa and King Cobra. It was briefly resurrected from 1993 to 1995, but by the end of the 20th century, Colt’s double-action wheelguns were nearly extinct. The Cobra was dropped from the Colt catalog in 1981 the Detective Special remained in production another five years. In 1973, both the Detective Special (Third Issue) and Cobra (Second Issue), introduced a shrouded ejector rod, and this remained part of the design until they were discontinued. The first Cobra model, produced through 1972, was simply a lighter alloy-framed version of the Colt Detective Special.
AB08955 COLT AGENT 38 SPECIAL SERIES
The second series (Second Issue), introduced a year later, had a slightly deeper frame but retained the exposed ejector rod, as would be seen on the original Colt Cobras introduced in 1950. The original models were manufactured from 1927 to 1946. Two years later, it became a separate model, the Detective Special. It was the era of the wheelgun.ĭetective Special and Cobra origins go back to 1926 when Colt introduced a 2-inch-barreled version of the popular Police Positive model called the Police Positive Special. The majority of plainclothes officers usually packed an S&W Chief’s Special or Bodyguard, a Colt Detective Special, or the Colt Cobra. You tell him to search gunbroker, which is rife with individuals who are trying to sell firearms for more than they are worth.Back in the 1950s, the majority of carry guns were double- action revolvers, as were most law enforcement duty guns, and usually they were either Smith & Wesson or Colt models. Explain how someone who may have an agenda is going to affect what he offers? He is asking for a fair offer to a person selling a gun. What agenda? They have no dog in the fight. He has a very common gun, not in collector condition, with hundreds of recent auctions to refer to. If the OP had an extremely rare gun, then those types of forums might be the best resource, as previous sales information would be difficult to find.
What you think it's worth, isn't as important as what someone will actually write a check for it. However, seeking pricing information from a specialty forum, where you will only receive a handful of opinions, that may come from those with an agenda, will likely not prove as accurate as searching through actual sales that have taken place. They're invaluable for getting good info on various models.
AB08955 COLT AGENT 38 SPECIAL PLUS
I post, ask, and answer questions on all three, plus a couple others. I'm also a member at the S&W and Ruger forums, since I collect those as well. I've spent a bit of time on the Colt forums, having been a Colt collector for 30+ years. Your comment suggests you think you know more than you do. Do you even frequent Colt Forum forum at all? Your statement suggests that you do not.