Handguns

Colt Detective Special
Q: I have come into possession of a Colt snub-nose revolver in .38 Special. It's nickel plated and has the appearance of the old Detective Special with no ejector-rod shroud. The serial number is 5281XX, and on the barrel is "AL 38." I would appreciate any information you can give me on this gun, the letters "AL," the date of manufacture and the value in 85 percent condition. --W.H., Warwick, NY

A: The Colt revolver you describe should have the model nomenclature marked on the left-hand side of the barrel. In this case, based on your serial number, the model should be either a Police Positive Special or a Detective Special and should be so marked. What probably happened to this revolver is that it has been refinished, and, unfortunately, when the gun was polished before nickeling, most of the barrel markings were polished off, which explains "AL 38," which is most likely the last two letters of "SPECIAL." The Detective Special has a smaller grip frame than the Police Positive Special. Yours was manufactured in 1949, the same year China established the People's Republic. Because your gun has been poorly refinished, its current value is in the $100 to $150 range, assuming it shoots.

Savage Super Sporter
Q: I recently acquired a Savage clip-fed bolt- action rifle. On the left side of the receiver it has "Savage Super Sporter." The serial number is 82XX. It has two locking lugs near the rear of the bolt, a hand-checkered stock and 24-inch barrel. I don't think it is a collector's item, but it shoots very well. I am interested in knowing when it was made and how much it might be worth. --J.S.M., Lovell, WY

A: Savage manufactured the Model 40 and Model 45 Super Sporter centerfire bolt-action rifles from 1928 to 1940. The Model 40 has a standard-grade smooth pistol-grip stock while the Model 45 is a special grade with select checkered walnut pistol-grip stock. During 1936 the stock was changed so that the magazine was flush with the bottom of the stock. A Schnabel fore-end and pistol-grip cap were added. The Model 45 was discontinued during 1940, and approximately 5,900 were manufactured. The Model 40 stock was then checkered and discontinued during 1942. Approximately 16,200 were manufactured. The retail price in 1929 for the Model 40 was $35, and the Model 45 retailed for $44.50. During 1939 the retail price for the Model 40 was $42.50, and the Model 45 retailed for $51.50. An 80 percent specimen of either model is valued at around $200. A 95 percent Model 40 is valued at $250 while a 95 percent Model 45 should bring around $275.

"Salt Wood" Browning T-Bolt
Q: Both the Browning Safari centerfire rifles and the T-Bolt .22 rifles made in Belgium during the 1960s/1970s had some stocks made with defective "salt wood." What is salt wood, and how much does it affect the resale value of rifles? --J.J., West Covina, CA

A: Between late 1966 and 1972 Browning used a salt-curing process to speed the drying time needed for its walnut stock blanks. Unfortunately, the salt would be released from the wood and oxidize the metal surface(s) after a period of time. These guns--especially bolt-action rifles in all grades--some BARs, Superposed shotguns and T-bolt models should be examined carefully around the edges of the wood for signs of freckling and rust. Check screws and wood under the buttplate as well. Glen Jensen, Browning's historian, suggests using a 1 percent silver-nitrate solution on a small, undisturbed portion of wood--if the wood sample turns white, it's a saltwood gun; if the wood color turns to a light purple, it's OK. Discount values on Browning guns can show telltale characteristics of salt corrosion by 15 to 50 percent, depending on how much rusting has occurred.