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Colt Diamondback
Colt-diamondback
Type Revolver
Place of origin United States
Production history
Designer colt diamondback
Manufacturer Colt's Manufacturing Company
Produced 1966–1988
Specifications
Mass (.38) 21/2" 26oz; 4" 28.5oz.; 6" 30.5oz.; (.22) 21/2" 28.5 oz.; 4" 31 oz.; 6" 33 oz.
Length 2½", 4" or 6" bbl.

Cartridge .38 Special.
Feed system Six-round cylinder
Sights Rear adj.; front ramp
Diamondback-rollmark

.22 caliber Colt Diamondback rollmark

The Colt Diamondback is a revolver manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut, in calibers of .22 LR, .22 WMR 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.[1]

Description[]

Colt introduced the double-action Diamondback as a deluxe model. It has a wide serrated target hammer, ventilated rib, fully adjustable target quality sights, and full-length barrel underlug. It is a 6-shot revolver with a swing-out cylinder and was available in blue or nickel finishes. Visually, the Diamondback resembles a scaled-down version of the Python.[1]

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 has also gained popularity with gun enthusiasts due to the inexpensive price of .38 caliber ammunition.

Diamondback Serial Numbers[]

  • 1966 — D1001
  • 1967 — D2600
  • 1968 — D14400
  • 1969 — D26500
  • 1970 — D38450
  • 1971 — D45551
  • 1972 — D51400
  • 1973 — D55401
  • 1974 — D59801
  • 1975 — D60251
  • 1976 — D72251-D99999
  • 1976 — N01001-N01800
  • 1977 — N01801-N15674
  • 1978 — R13901
  • 1979 — S65863

Cultural References[]

  • John Wayne used a 4" .38 Diamondback in the 1975 movie Brannigan.
  • Steve McQueen used a 2.5" .38 Diamondback in the 1968 movie Bullitt.[2]
  • The Spy from Team Fortress 2 appears to use the Colt Diamondback as his primary handgun.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sapp, Rick (21 November 2007). Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms. F+W Media, Inc. p. 117. ISBN 978-0-89689-534-8. http://books.google.com/books?id=Q-rnXe1g-F0C&pg=PA117. Retrieved 24 January 2012. 
  2. Ayoob, Massad (22 September 2008). The Gun Digest Book Of Concealed Carry. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-89689-611-6. http://books.google.com/books?id=vY0wBGb82DoC. Retrieved 24 January 2012. 

External links[]

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The original article can be found at Colt Diamondback and the edit history here.