3167 COLT DETECTIVE SPECIAL DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER,

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2026 Nov 08 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 900.00 USD
Estimated at 1,800.00 - 2,700.00 USD
FORMERLY OWNED BY IRA "CURTIS" LISTON, WITH FACTORY LETTER & PROVENANCE. Cal. 38 Spl. S# 356688/ Bbl. 2". Detective Special double action revolver mfg. by Colt in 1928. Left side of the bbl. is marked "38" and "DETECTIVE/ SPECIAL", with Colt's 2-line mfg. and patent information marked on the right. Left side of the frame is marked with the Rampant Colt logo and "VP" proof. Metal components exhibit a blue finish overall, save for on the sides of the hammer, which are polished in-the-white. Frame is mounted with 2-piece Colt silver medallion checkered wood grips. Fixed half-moon blade front sight and frame notched rear sight. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Unmarked / unnumbered factory and Colt factory letter stating: "Serial Number: 356688/ Caliber: .38/c/ Barrel Length: 2"/ Finish: Blue/ Type of Stocks: Checkered Wood/ Shipped To: W.S. Brown Inc./ Address: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania/ Date of Shipment: February 9, 1928/ Colt Factory ORder: #14129/100/ Number of Same Type Guns in Shipment: 2". Additionally, this revolver is accompanied by a Colt Factory invoice dated August 11, 1944, denoting work performed on this example (new bbl., ejector rod ratchet, grips, and bolt), a letter to John Rock of the Pennsylvania Motor Police with the total for the work done, a letter from Colt detailing condition upon arrival and that they were unable to refinish the gun as requested (likely due to wartime production), scans of newspaper articles pertaining to Curtis Liston, as well as a document summarizing how Liston and John R. Rock. In summary, the document associates Liston and Rock via their proximity in PA. Further, the document speculates that it is likely that Liston and Rock were acquainted and that Liston was likely the original owner of this revolver. Due to wartime shortages and small arms (amongst other items) having to go through the DSC (Defense Supplies Corporation), obtaining a short barreled revolver as an individual was likely near impossible. Due to condition statement of the revolver supplied from Colt's notes when it was received in the factory, it is speculated that Liston shipped the gun to Colt, with Rock having paid for the repairs before subsequently taking possession of the piece. CONDITION: metal components retain large amounts of their original factory blue finish, exhibiting patches of wear and thinning fading to gray patina, scattered spots of light surface oxidation, as well as some superficial handling marks overall. Cyl., grip straps, and underside of trigger guard bow have largely faded to a gray patina. Sides of hammer exhibit age related discoloration. Very bright bore, exhibiting some scattered spots of light pitting, while retaining strong rifling throughout. Proper manual mechanics. Grips show heavy smoothing and some scattered marks from handling and storage. Box shows general exterior wear, with losses to the exterior along edges and a tear at one corner of the lid. (26-3211/MLW). CURIO. $1,800-2,700.