The Colt Diamondback (1966-1988) represents Colt’s premium D-frame revolver, offering Python-like features in a smaller package. You’ll find it chambered in .22 LR or .38 Special with 6-round capacity, featuring adjustable sights, ventilated rib, and target hammer. The revolver came in barrel lengths of 2.5″, 4″, and 6″, with either blued or nickel finish. While not as refined as the Python, its mechanical reliability and target-grade accuracy make it a sought-after collector’s piece. Understanding its unique position in Colt’s lineup reveals a fascinating evolution in revolver design.
Key Takeaways
- The Colt Diamondback is a premium D-frame revolver introduced in 1966, featuring adjustable sights and available in .22 LR or .38 Special calibers.
- Built as a scaled-down version of the Python, it offers similar aesthetics with a ventilated rib and target hammer but less refined action.
- Available in 2.5″, 4″, and 6″ barrel lengths with either blued or nickel finish and distinctive walnut grips with medallion inlays.
- Typical used models in good condition sell for $400-700, while rare variants like 6″ nickel .22LR versions can fetch $1,000-1,500.
- Production ended in 1988, making it a sought-after collector’s item known for mechanical reliability and target-grade accuracy.
Description
The Colt Diamondback, introduced in 1966, represented Colt’s premium offering in their D-frame revolver lineup. You’ll find this 6-shot revolver equipped with a ventilated rib, wide serrated target hammer, and fully adjustable sights.
Built on the Detective Special’s D-frame, it’s available in blue or nickel finish. The design mirrors a scaled-down Python, though with a less refined action mechanism.
Price Range
Prices can run the gamut for vintage Colt Diamondbacks, with typical used models in good condition fetching between $400-700 on today’s market. You’ll find premium pricing for early production 2.5-inch models featuring silver medallions, while high-quality blue finish variants command top dollar.
| Model Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Standard Used | $400-700 |
| 6″ Nickel .22LR | $1,000-1,500 |
| Early 2.5″ Silver | $1,200-1,800 |
| South Asian Copy | Under $200 |
Specifications
The Colt Diamondback, built on Colt’s D-frame platform, offered remarkable versatility with its three available barrel lengths: 2.5″, 4″, and 6″. You’ll find the revolver chambered in both .22 LR and .38 Special calibers, with each featuring a six-round cylinder capacity. The construction incorporated blued carbon steel components with target-style walnut grips, while the adjustable rear sight and wide target hammer enhanced shooting precision.
| Specification | .22 LR Model | .38 Special Model |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (4″ barrel) | 31 oz | 33 oz |
| Frame | D-frame | D-frame |
| Capacity | 6 rounds | 6 rounds |
| Barrel Options | 2.5″, 4″, 6″ | 2.5″, 4″, 6″ |
Weight
Weighing in at 26 ounces (737 grams) for the 2.5-inch barrel model and 36 ounces (1,021 grams) for the 6-inch variant, Colt’s Diamondback struck an impressive balance between portability and stability.
The Colt frame’s lightweight alloy construction, combined with the full-length barrel underlug, created optimal weight distribution. Even with added features like the Colt Accro adjustable sight, the Colt factory maintained the revolver’s efficiency through weight-conscious engineering.
Barrel Length
Designed to accommodate diverse shooting applications, Colt’s Diamondback came in three distinct barrel lengths: 2.5, 4, and 6 inches. You’ll find the 2.5-inch barrel was favored by police detectives in the 1970s, while the 6-inch variant was limited to just 2,200 units.
Nickel-plated Diamondbacks in .22 LR with either 2.5-inch or 6-inch barrels are especially rare collector’s pieces.
Material Made Out Of
Built around Colt’s compact D-frame chassis, Diamondback revolvers featured either blued steel or nickel-plated construction throughout their production run.
You’ll find these finishes applied consistently across all components, from the barrel to the cylinder. The walnut grips provided a classic contrast to the metal surfaces and came adorned with distinctive medallions in either silver or gold, enhancing the revolver’s refined appearance.
Chambered In
The Colt Diamondback came in two primary chamberings: .38 Special and .22 Long Rifle (LR). The .38 Special variant, featuring Python-style adjustable sights, served law enforcement, particularly detectives who preferred the 2.5-inch barrel.
You’ll find the .22 LR model was popular for target practice and training new shooters. While rumors exist of a .22 Magnum prototype, it never entered production.
Capacity
All Diamondback models featured a 6-round cylinder capacity, regardless of barrel length or chambering. The D frame as used in the Colt Diamondback provided an adjustable sighted small framed revolver that maintained this standard capacity across both .22 LR and .38 Special variants.
The swing-out cylinder design allowed for quick reloading while keeping the revolver’s compact dimensions suitable for its intended purposes.
Trigger Pull
Maintaining Colt’s reputation for smooth actions, the Diamondback featured a precisely engineered trigger system with distinct pull weights for its dual firing modes. You’ll find the double-action pull breaks cleanly at 10-12 pounds, while the single-action requires a lighter 4-5 pounds of pressure.
For enhanced performance, you can have the target hammer and trigger pull professionally tuned through internal component adjustments.
Safety?
Standard safety features on Colt’s Diamondback include a traditional transfer bar mechanism that prevents accidental discharge if dropped, while the swing-out cylinder incorporates a robust cylinder stop and reliable cylinder latch.
Like its D-frame siblings, the Detective Special and Police Positive, the Diamondback’s safety system was simpler than the Python’s but equally dependable for law enforcement use with .38 Special rounds.
Action
The Colt Diamondback’s action shares DNA with the legendary Python but operates on the more compact D-frame platform. While you’ll notice similarities in the design, the Diamondback was built with a less refined action.
Though it features a wide target hammer and adjustable sights for enhanced accuracy, the action wasn’t tuned to the Python’s exacting standards, resulting in a noticeably different feel during operation.
Optic Ready?
Unlike modern revolvers with integrated mounting systems, Colt’s Diamondback wasn’t designed or manufactured with optic-ready capabilities. Often called the miniature Python, this premium quality adjustable sighted revolver relied solely on traditional iron sights.
If you’re looking to mount an optic, you’ll need extensive gunsmithing modifications, as this quality adjustable sighted small frame revolver came from the factory with no optic mounting provisions.
Review
You’ll find the Diamondback exhibits excellent mechanical reliability and target-grade accuracy, though it doesn’t match the premium hand-fitting of its larger Python cousin. The revolver’s advantages include its compact D-frame size, adjustable sights, and smooth double-action trigger pull that made it particularly appealing to plainclothes officers and detectives.
Its main drawbacks include a less refined action compared to the Python, a finish that wasn’t quite as durable as the Royal Blue, and limited production numbers that now make it relatively scarce on the collector’s market.
Pros
Sporting a refined design that echoed its premium cousin, the Python, Colt’s Diamondback offered law enforcement and civilian shooters several compelling advantages. Though its blue job wasn’t quite Python-grade, the revolver delivered exceptional versatility through multiple barrel configurations.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| D-frame Design | Compact & Lightweight |
| Multiple Calibers | .22 LR & .38 Special Options |
| Barrel Lengths | 2.5″, 4″, or 6″ Flexibility |
The Diamondback’s adjustable sights and smaller frame made it particularly appealing to law enforcement agencies seeking a reliable service weapon.
Cons
Despite its attractive Python-inspired aesthetics, the Diamondback suffered from several notable shortcomings. You’ll find the action lacks the Python’s precise tuning, while the finish doesn’t match the premium Royal Blue. Built on Colt’s D frame, it commanded a higher price than the Detective Special without delivering equivalent value.
| Shortcoming | Impact | Component |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Less refined | Internal |
| Finish | Lower quality | External |
| Price | Higher cost | Market |
Reliability
Several field reports and long-term evaluations have established the Diamondback’s solid reliability credentials, even if it doesn’t quite reach the Python’s gold standard.
According to Colt Archive records, the Diamondback’s ventilated rib design and Royal Blue finish have held up remarkably well with use. You’ll find its smooth action and adjustable sights maintain their precision over time, while the small-frame construction proves consistently dependable under regular shooting conditions.
Similar Models
The Diamondback shared Colt’s D-frame platform with several notable siblings, including the Detective Special and Police Positive Special, though these models featured fixed sights instead of the Diamondback’s adjustable target sights.
The Diamondback was designed to be a smaller version of the premium Colt Python, aiming to capture its aesthetic appeal. Some variants were produced in extremely limited numbers, including the .22 Magnum prototypes and nickel-finished models.
Similar Models From Other Manufacturers
Various manufacturers developed revolvers that shared design elements with the Diamondback during its production era.
You’ll find Allen & Thurber & Co.’s model featuring an adjustable rear sight, while Universal Firearms Co. offered a .22 LR variant when the Diamondback was marketed.
During the height of Colt Fever, Turnbull Manufacturing Co. began producing modern reproductions with updated manufacturing techniques, maintaining the classic inch barrel specifications.
Maintenance
Proper maintenance of your Colt Diamondback requires systematic attention to key components that ensure reliable operation and longevity. You’ll need to clean the bore and chambers with solvent and a brush after shooting.
Apply gun oil to the action and moving parts, and check the cylinder for proper alignment. Inspect your sights regularly, making necessary adjustments.
Store your unloaded revolver in a dry environment to prevent corrosion.
History
Following decades of revolver innovation, Colt Manufacturing introduced their Diamondback model in 1966, positioning it as a premium offering in their D-frame lineup.
The Diamondback was intended to be a high-end, sighted small framed revolver that mimicked the legendary Python’s aesthetics. You’ll find target type walnut grips complementing its ventilated rib and adjustable sights. Production continued until its discontinuation in 1988.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colt Diamondback Still Made?
No, you won’t find new Diamondbacks being manufactured today, as Colt ended production in 1988.
While it’s considered one of the finest conceal carry options from its era, you’ll need to explore the secondary market if you’re interested in acquiring one. The reliability of design makes these revolvers worth seeking out, though you should carefully evaluate restoration considerations before purchasing.
Many collectors actively maintain these classic firearms due to their historical significance.
What Is the Most Sought After Colt Revolver?
You’ll find that the Colt Single Action Army (SAA), also known as the “Peacemaker,” is widely considered the most sought-after Colt revolver. As one of the classic cowboy revolvers, it’s defined American firearms history since 1873.
While limited edition Colt revolvers like the Python and Snake series command high prices, the SAA models, particularly first-generation specimens and rare calibers, consistently rank as the most desirable among collectors and enthusiasts.
Do Colt Revolvers Hold Their Value?
Like a timeless steel sentinel, your Colt revolver’s value stands strong through the years. You’ll find that Colt revolver resale prices consistently remain robust, particularly for well-maintained pieces.
Colt revolver collectibility factors heavily into their investment potential, with pristine examples appreciating significantly. The key to maximizing your revolver’s worth lies in maintaining original condition factors, including finish, timing, and mechanical integrity.
Original documentation and factory letters further enhance your investment’s security.
What Is the Rarest Colt Revolver?
Among historical Colt revolver models, you’ll find the rarest examples in prototype configurations and extremely limited production runs.
When discussing most valuable Colt revolvers, the Colt Diamondback with a 6-inch nickel .22 LR barrel stands out, with only 2,200 units produced.
For collectible Colt revolver configurations, the rumored .22 Magnum Diamondback prototypes are exceptionally scarce, though their existence isn’t officially documented in factory records.
Conclusion
The Colt Diamondback you’re examining stands as a testament to mid-century precision engineering, like a finely-tuned timepiece from 1966-1988. You’ll find its double-action mechanism smooth as silk, built on Colt’s D-frame platform. Whether you’re collecting or shooting, this .38 Special/.22LR revolver offers match-grade accuracy with its ventilated rib and adjustable sights. You’re handling a piece of American firearms heritage that’s increasingly valuable in today’s market.
0 Comments