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By John Marshall LASSIClower edgesA Nof theD gripG wereU somewhatNS rounded. was then prevented from snagging. In the 1960s, In 1984, a matte-finish cheaper version called The Cwas the first of the ThisH made the less likely to “print”: underT ahe theC gripolt frame was Detective shortened to the same size as Specialthe Commando Special was offered. Then, in snubnose swing-out “belly ” and as covering garment. Sales of the gun now nicknamed the similar Colt Agent . This was a manu- 1986, Colt ceased production of the Detective such richly deserves to be called a classic. In the the “Dick Special” took off! facturing decision, enabling the previously different Special and other D-frame . The reason hands of police and detective drama movie stars of The front sight on the earliest guns was of the frames to be made on the same machinery. Grips given was cost of manufacture. The public outcry the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s such as Humphrey Bogart, rounded “half moon” type. The revolver’s rear sight were provided on the Detective Special that filled over this deed finally convinced the company to John Wayne and Jack Webb, the little six-shot .38 has always been a simple groove machined into in the extra space at the bottom, giving the same re-introduce the “Dick Special,” in a form identi- Special snubby blazed its way into notoriety across the topstrap of the frame. Some changes were in exact grip profile as before. Some three-inch bar- cal to before. This occurred in 1988. Then, in the silver screen. And in the hands of real-life store, however. Following World War II, Colt made reled revolvers were offered. Finish choice was 1995, the name was changed to “Colt 38 SF-VI.” police officers and regular citizens, it served a real some modifications to the “D-frame” Detective always blue or nickel-plate. It wasn’t the same gun. The internals did away need – a concealable, reliable of Special and Police Positive. The gap behind the In 1972, another change was made. The Detec- with the old V-shaped mainspring that had been effective that gave its owner six tive Special and many other Colt around since the 1890s, and incorporated a shots quickly when called upon. In transfer bar system. A “38 SF-VI Special its day, it was immensely popular. Lady” version came out in 1996. It had a bright The term “belly gun” originated finish and bobbed . Shortly after this, a as a moniker for this class of stainless version was introduced. Then Colt did small handgun because suppos- away with the new designation and renamed the edly the only way you could con- revolver “Detective Special II.” nect with an assailant was to stick The Detective Special spawned some varia- the gun in his belly and pull the tions, based on the same D-frame. The Banker’s ! However, the “Dick Spe- Special was a two-inch barreled six-shot revolver cial” and others that later followed chambered in .38 S&W and .38 New Police, and it were quite capable of good accu- in .22 Long . It used the same frame as the racy at longer ranges. It all depended on the skill of Police Positive, and had a shorter cylinder. Pro- the shooter. A potent in a small gun duction of this handgun stopped in 1941. A light- demanded that its user master a gun that was weight version of the Detective Special was the somewhat difficult to control when fired. aluminum-alloy framed Cobra. The Agent was the While the first Detective Special came on the same gun, but with a shorter grip frame. These market in 1926, its origins go back to the final years latter revolvers evolved, as did the Detective of the , to the Colt New Police revolver Special, with shrouded ejector rods and of 1896. This gun, developed in 1895, chambered newer lockwork. The final permutation the .32 New Police cartridge. Teddy Roosevelt, then was the Magnum Carry, introduced in head of the New York City Police Department, 1999. It was a beefed-up stainless received serial #1 from the Colt company. Detective Special II, chambering the In 1905, Colt incorporated a positive safety .357 Magnum cartridge. As Colt into this revolver’s innards. It was a sliding began to bow out of the revolver piece of steel that interposed itself between the business, the Magnum Carry and hammer and frame until the trigger was pulled revolvers the Detective Special II ceased to completely to the rear. Thus, the could were – per- be in the year 2000. not reach the by the hammer being struck a “Then in 1926, haps with justifi- The Detective Special inspired sharp blow or by being dropped. This improved cation – criticized for some competitors, notably the version of the New Police was then dubbed the their unprotected ejector Smith & Wesson Chief Special, Police Positive revolver. someone at Colt rods, which simply just and the stainless Model 60. The Police Positive was further upgraded in 1907 hung out there. The thought The Colt had one big advan- by adding two new , the .32-20 and the .38 was that the rods could get tage in that has always been a Special. In order to achieve this, the cylinder and triggerhad guard a was b widenedrigh tot improveide athe. user’s...” bent very easily, preventing six-shot, versus five for the frame were lengthened somewhat to accommodate hold. Also, the ejector rod was lengthened slightly extraction and maybe tying up S&Ws. Smith & Wesson these longer cartridges. The upgraded revolver was to provide a longer, more positive ejection stroke. the revolver completely. In boasted of a better double now called the Police Positive Special. Later caliber The newer rod reached almost to the end of the 1972, Colt addressed this prob- pull for its revolvers, additions included .38 S&W, .32 S&W, .32 S&W barrel. The front sight was slightly changed to have lem by providing the Detective criticizing the “stacked” feel long, and the .32 Colt New Police. Standard Barrel a ramped rear profile. In addition to the standard Special with a barrel underlug that of the Colt, where the trigger pull lengths were four, five, and six inches. .38 Special chambering, some Detective Specials completely protected the ejector rod. in double action stiffened a bit toward Then in 1926, someone at Colt had a bright were also offered in .32 Colt New Police. The com- They also introduced wood grips that filled the the end of the stroke. And the Colt was slightly idea. Why not shorten the barrel of the Police Posi- pany also introduced an accessory known as a gap behind the trigger. Previously, many owners larger than the J-frame Smiths. But the Colt had its tive to two inches, and provide a neat concealable “Hammer Shroud.” This attachment covered the used a grip adapter to fill this space. One of these fervent admirers to the end. As the original swing- personal protection arm? It was done, and not long hammer, and provided a groove through which the adapters is employed on the handgun illustrated out cylinder “belly gun” it has become a true col- thereafter, the name was changed to “Detective hammer could still be cocked for single-action fire. in this article, which was made in 1959. The lectable classic today. After all these years, it’s still Special.” In 1934, the squarish grip inherited from The device was intended to make the little revolver wood grips subsequently were replaced in the entirely suitable as a concealable personal defense the old Police Positive was modified so that the easier to draw from under clothing, as the hammer mid-1980s with rubber “combat style” grips. arm. Those who have them treasure them!