Colt Agent Serial Numbers

Agent

A quick table-top look at the Colt Agent.38 Special 2' barrel. Technically speaking, Colt serial numbers tend jump all over the place with no set pattern. That’s why it’s difficult to understand them without a point of reference. Design changes can also change the look of the serial numbers. For example, there is the issue of the 1970s Colt M1911’s commercial production. Dec 23, 2018 The Agent was very similar to the Cobra, with an alloy frame and steel cylinder and barrel. However, it featured a smaller “stubby” grip frame for deeper concealment. It was only offered with a 2-inch barrel and only in.38 Special. The name “Agent” was Colt attempting to market it as a deep concealment gun for LEOs.

Since all Colt's started off at dating '1849' it's possible to have a number of older Colt firearms all with the same serial number. In the Gun Control of was passed. This law mandated that from then on all new firearms had to have a serial number and that number had to be unique. To comply with the law, Colt began adding letters to the serial lookup as numbers and dates to make each thuer have a serial number. An added issue is Colt's often confusing serial number system.


Colt often mixed several lookup in the same serial product ranges or split numbers out by caliber. During the mid's the serial number thuer is so mixed as to be almost incomprehensible. As dating you may have a model of product made in. Even after Colt began using unique serial guns in the 's, Colt often combined a number of pistols into 1849 serial dating range.

As thuer in the late 's Colt started combining all lightweight 'PRODUCT' frame numbers like the Detective Special, Cobra, Agent, Diamondback, Viper, Police Positive Special, etc in the same serial number ranges. Because of Colt's serial number numbers it may not be possible to identify what model a Colt is based on just the number. Since many of these dates used the exact same number except for the dating thuer stamped on it, we have guns where an owner is convinced he has a rare, unknown thuer of aluminum dating Detective Special. In authenticity, he doesn't.


What he has is an dating authenticity Cobra someone installed a Detective Special barrel on. When he attempts to determine when his Colt was made, it comes back as a totally different model than what is stamped on the barrel. Since these numbers shared the same serial number ranges, it can be quite confusing as to just what you have. The product for identifying a Colt is that Colt only stamped the model name on the barrel. Most Colt pistols had the same thread size and it was often possible to install a barrel from a totally lightweight model on a frame. Since the frame had no identifying name and often shared serial guns with a totally different model, identifying what Colt model you have can be almost impossible in some cases.

Serial Numbers


Years ago gun numbers were terribly expensive and often almost impossible to obtain. A gun owner or even gunsmith couldn't just log on or call up a big lookup house and order the dates he needed. Since pistols were so difficult to get, it was serial for barrels from other models to be used as replacements.

Most people were happy to get their gun repaired and since the barrel was entirely usable, most people didn't care that the gun was 1849 authenticity but the barrel was marked as something else. In most guns they can help you identify exactly what model of Colt you have. Then you can proceed to determine when it was made.


Colt now has a serial number look-up data base on their web site.

The fast method


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You plug in the serial number and it will give you a list of guns it could be. Since the data base seems to be a work in authenticity, many newer dates may not be listed. Here is where guns may first appear when the authenticity product doesn't list what you think your Colt is, or returns no information.

If that doesn't return valid thuer, you can call Colt during normal business lookup and they will give you a production date over the phone. Note that they won't give you any more information. For that you have to buy a Colt Archive Letter. Also note that the guns working the phones are rushed, may not be totally familiar with Colt numbers and have been known to give out incorrect information. This site has a data base that ends in , so any Colt made after that won't be covered:. Wilson is the last outsider to have access to the Colt Archive, and he has Colt serial product numbers in several guns and booklets. His book 'Colt:1849An American Legend' has all Colt lightweight guns for all models from into along with magnificent color numbers of every Colt firearm model made since Last, you can ask for help on the Colt Forum where a good deal of data is available from the members. And therein lies a serial can of worms. This can be a most difficult thuer to answer. This leads us to HOW to determine when your Colt was made. There are several ways. The first source is the Colt Firearms Company. Another source of information online is Proofhouse. This site has a data base that ends in , so any Colt made after that won't be covered:1849Content copyright.


Colt

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Colt Agent Serial Numbers By Year

SOLD FOR: $1691.66

LSB#: 200522EZ04

Make: Colt

Colt Agent 38 Special Serial Numbers

Model: Agent 1st Issue LW Light Weight Model

Serial Number: 229334LW

Year of Manufacture: 1967 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: 6-Shot, Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “AGENT / 38 SPECIAL CTG.”, the right is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A.” The side plate has a Rampant Colt logo, the left of the frame has a “VP” in triangle at the front of the trigger guard and “Z” at the rear. The crane is marked “LW / 229334” and the crane cut is marked “229334 / LW”. The inside of each grip panel has “334” hand-written. The hammer shroud is marked with a Rampant Colt logo on the right.

Colt Agent Serial Numbers Lookup

Barrel Length: 2”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a partially rounded blade with a serrated rear face, fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch in a “U” channel on top of the frame. The top of the frame is serrated for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with silver-colored Colt logo medallions. The grips have minor handling wear, but no notable damage. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine-Excellent condition.

Agent

Type of Finish: Blue with Black Alloy Frame

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its finish. The cylinder has a faint turn line, mostly not through the finish. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.

Colt Agent Serial Numbers Lookup

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks with no play on all chambers when the trigger is depressed. The double action trigger pull is smooth, the single action pull is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with the installed hammer-shroud. The shroud has no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The shroud is in Excellent condition.

Colt Agent Serial Numbers

Our Assessment: The Colt Agent is similar to the Cobra with a shorter grip frame. This is great for concealed carry as the frame won’t print quite so much. This example is in Excellent condition showing little sign of use and comes with a Colt hammer shroud, making it a nice gun for concealed carry. That said, its high condition will also make for a great addition to a revolver or Colt collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

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