Colt Python owners can identify the general date of their weapon's manufacture by checking for certain characteristics, such as the serial number sequencing and gun finish. The earliest gun models were handmade and many have no letters in the serial number.
Colt 22 Diamondback Serial Numbers
Just picked this up last weekend at the WAC Gun Show; It's a Colt DiamondBack 2-1/2' 38 SPL
I just checked the serial number ( D120* )and it shows it's a first production year 1966 one of the first 200 made! I'm not sure how much it's worth due to condition but I'm excited none the less and can't wait to have my gunsmith check it out so I can go shoot it. I picked it up for $200.
It appears at some time in the past, probably the guy I bought it from that it was stripped and parkerized. I'm not sure if I should keep it that way or have it re blued, or try another finish. The parkerizing looks like a decent job, at least as good as the ones I've done but I love blue guns even with rust!
I don't care about reselling this or how much money I can make it worth... just want it to last and not rust anymore, and be a good carry piece in the backwoods without having to worry about scratching or dinging it. I just need to find a good strong side right hand carry holster for it.
Anyone know of which modern revolver holsters I should look at?
The wearing and pitting is most severe on the left side. Not sure if the grips are new or not. They look in remarkable shape to me if they are original so I don't think they are. I removed them and they have some numbers written on them in black ink looks like 1030 to me? Sorry no pics.
The right side doesn't look so bad but it's still hard to read - Colts PT F.A. MFG. Co.
I tried to get the best angle of the light so you can read - Diamondback 38 Special CTG
Serial Numbers Match first year of production 1966 serial numbers started at D1001 this one is D120*
I just checked the serial number ( D120* )and it shows it's a first production year 1966 one of the first 200 made! I'm not sure how much it's worth due to condition but I'm excited none the less and can't wait to have my gunsmith check it out so I can go shoot it. I picked it up for $200.
It appears at some time in the past, probably the guy I bought it from that it was stripped and parkerized. I'm not sure if I should keep it that way or have it re blued, or try another finish. The parkerizing looks like a decent job, at least as good as the ones I've done but I love blue guns even with rust!
I don't care about reselling this or how much money I can make it worth... just want it to last and not rust anymore, and be a good carry piece in the backwoods without having to worry about scratching or dinging it. I just need to find a good strong side right hand carry holster for it.
Anyone know of which modern revolver holsters I should look at?
The wearing and pitting is most severe on the left side. Not sure if the grips are new or not. They look in remarkable shape to me if they are original so I don't think they are. I removed them and they have some numbers written on them in black ink looks like 1030 to me? Sorry no pics.
The right side doesn't look so bad but it's still hard to read - Colts PT F.A. MFG. Co.
I tried to get the best angle of the light so you can read - Diamondback 38 Special CTG
Serial Numbers Match first year of production 1966 serial numbers started at D1001 this one is D120*