The smaller 2.5-inch “Roscoe” used Colt service grips, giving the shorty Diamondback the appearance of a bulked-up Colt Detective and for good reason– the Dick Special used the same D-style. The Diamondback serial number range during 1977 was N 01801 to N 15674 to R 01001 into R 13901 in 1978 Maybe sometime during 1977 or 1978 they ran some 'P' numbers, but you'll have to confirm that through Colt. The Diamondback was discontinued in 1986. Colt didn't seem to use any logical system when it came to serial numbers during this period.
Reading colt serial numbers can be hard for people who are not experienced. These codes have a slight impact on the firearms, but they are the best way to trace down the origin of guns.
Colt serial numbers contain the history of every gun, but detecting them accurately is a bit hard.
If you are looking forward to learn reading colt serial numbers for the first time, then this article may have something beneficial to offer you. Read below to know more!
Colt Diamondback Serial Number Guide Pdf
Reading Colt Serial Numbers – Here’s How!
There are many techniques that you can follow to find the meaning of a colt serial number. However, some are damn easy and quick, and some are freaking hard. In this written piece, we talk about the comparatively easier ones, okay?
The Quick Method
This one is the easiest way to read colt serial numbers, and all the credits go to the advanced technology. Just head over to the “Colt” homepage and click on the “Customer Service”.
Right after clicking, you will see an option appearing as “Serial Number Lookup”. Click it, and enter your serial numbers. Wait for it, and Bingo!
It is the easiest and quickest possible way you can read a serial number.
However, I don’t prefer this way; the best way is learning to read the numbers manually. Because this easiest way often doesn’t show the accurate result.
The Reliable Method
This method will cost you few dollars, but guess what? It’s the most trusted one – the reliable method. Colt offers a research service to their customers which provides the brand’s official archive letter as a proof of the gun's history.
The letter will have all details of the firearms including genuine features, and specs along with delivery address as well.
Mainly, the archive letter carries essential historical information which can enhance the collective value of that firearm.
Though some custom modifications like the barrel, changed caliber, aftermarket engravings, and finish would not come included in the letter.
As I said earlier, to get this service, you will need to spend few bucks. For your information, the fee is around a hundred dollars in most cases, but again, it depends on the guns.
For example; stuff like the 1851 Navy, you may need to spend couple hundred dollars but it will worth the greens.
Prefix & Suffix
Don't run for a grammar book.! This method has nothing to deal with your Oxford's Dictionary. Mostly, colt numbers contain abbreviations of the firearms’ name. Therefore, you may find some of them are easy to understand.
For example;
- NF means New Frontier.
- MT means Match Target.
- SA means Single Action.
- SP means Sporter.
Capital “C” prefix or suffix on the gun means that is for commercial use, but sometimes these characters indicate the manufacturing year. Confusing, isn’t it?
Model Codes
Checking colt model code is worth the time and effort as they hold lots of information about a particular gun’s history.
The ability to understand these codes will let you know some important features of your gun inside the holster.
Like, the Single Action model of a colt usually has one prefix character and four digits, where prefix shows the frame type and digit indicates the barrel, stock, version, caliber, etc.
The first digit of your gun’s model code “1” means, a basic frame with the first model, and “2” “3” “4” are the later versions of the gun.
The second digit of the model code refers to the weapon’s caliber, like;
Colt Diamondback Serial Number Guide For Construction Equipment
- 4 means 32 to 20
- 6 means .357
- 7 means .44
- 8 means .45
- 9 means .44 to 40
The third digit shows the caliber of the gun, such as;
- 1 means 12 inches
- 3 mean 3 or 4 inches
- 4 mean 4.75 or 5 inches
- 5 mean 5.5 inches
- 7 mean 7.5 inches
The fourth and last digit shows information about the weapon’s finish or stock. For nickel and blue finish, “1” and “2” means nickel or blue casehardened finish and 6 specifies nickel finish.
Colt Diamondback Serial Number Location
To conclude, reading colt serial number can seem tricky and little tough. This article will give you a basic sense of reading colt serial numbers. And, let’s face it, wordy articles won’t help much than any visuals in learning to read colt serial number.
Consider watching at least a couple of videos on YouTube, or meet your fellow gun geek friend or neighbor next door. This way, you will have lessons that are prone to engrave in your brain easily.
| Colt Diamondback | |
|---|---|
.22 caliberColtDiamondback revolver with 6' barrel | |
| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Colt's Manufacturing Company |
| Produced | 1966–1988 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | (.38) 2½': 26oz; 4': 28.5oz.; 6': 30.5oz.;(.22) 2½': 28.5oz.; 4': 31oz.; 6': 33oz.. |
| Length | 2½', 4' or 6' bbl. |
| Cartridge | .22 LR .38 Special |
| Action | Double-action |
| Feed system | Six-round cylinder |
| Sights | Rear adj.; front ramp |
Colt Diamondback Serial Number Guide Chart
The Colt Diamondback is a revolver manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut, in calibers of .22 LR and .38 Special. Inspired by the successful Colt Python, the Diamondback was manufactured from 1966 to 1988 and was available in barrel lengths of 2½, 4, and 6 inches.
Description[edit]
Colt introduced the double-action Diamondback as a deluxe model in 1966.[1] It has a wide serrated target hammer, ventilated rib, fully adjustable target quality sights, and full-length barrel underlug.[1] It is a 6-shot revolver with a swing-out cylinder and was available in blue or nickel finishes.[1] Visually, the Diamondback resembles a scaled-down version of the Python, though the action was not tuned as finely as the Python, nor did it receive the Python's Royal Blue finish.[1][2] While the Python is built on Colt's 'I frame,' the Diamondback is built on the smaller 'D frame,' as used in the Detective Special. The Diamondback was dropped from production in 1988.[3]
Because of the light recoil of .22 caliber ammunition, the .22 version of the Diamondback can be used as a training gun for novice shooters. It had gained popularity with gun enthusiasts due to the inexpensive price of .22 caliber ammunition and since it has been discontinued, for its rarity.[4]Saddam Hussein collected the Colt Diamondback among other guns.[5]
In addition, the Diamondback was marketed to law enforcement agencies who did not allow the use of the .357 Magnum cartridge.[1]
Cultural References[edit]
- Steve McQueen used a 2.5' .38 Colt Diamondback in the 1968 movie Bullitt.[6]
References[edit]
- ^ abcdeFjestad, S. P. (2016). Blue Book of Gun Values. Iola, Wisconsin: Blue Book Publications. p. 212. ISBN978-1-936120-60-4.
- ^'Diamondback'. ColtFever.
- ^Sapp, Rick (November 21, 2007). Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms. F+W Media, Inc. pp. 116–117. ISBN978-0-89689-534-8. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- ^Fjestad, S.P. (August 18, 2015). 'Colt's Snake Guns'. American Rifleman. National Rifle Association.
- ^Zucchino, David (April 21, 2003). 'From the detritus, clues to character of Hussein regime'. The Baltimore Sun.
And the guns. The guns are one thing ordinary Iraqis might have known about. There was an arsenal in every home. Some bedrooms were supplied with gold-plated MP-5 machine guns. Others were stacked to the ceilings with boxes of Colt Diamondback .38 Specials, .357-caliber Combat Magnums and Sig Sauer pistols, still in their packing boxes, complete with owner instructions and generous supplies of boxed ammunition.
- ^Ayoob, Massad (September 22, 2008). The Gun Digest Book Of Concealed Carry. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 133. ISBN978-0-89689-611-6. Retrieved January 24, 2012.