The Colt Diamondback was commonly used for training but now due to its rarity it has become a highly collectible firearm. This Colt is in EXCELLENT condition and ships in the original case. Colt Diamondback Model D5140, Blue 4' 6-Shot SA/DA Double Action Revolver & Box, MFD 1977.22 LR Auction: 15314013.
THE COLT DIAMONDBACK
COLT DIAMONDBACK 'D' FRAME
Colt Diamondback 22 Serial Numbers Lookup
In 1966 Colt introduced the Colt Diamondback revolver.
The Diamondback was intended to be a premium qualityadjustable sighted small framed revolver that would resemble the popularPython.
The new Diamondback was built on the Colt 'D' frameas used for the Detective Special, Police Positive Special, etc.
It had a wide, long, grooved Target hammer, Target typewalnut grips, Colt Accro adjustable sight, and a barrel that looked like aPython barrel and was in fact built on Python machinery.
While the new Diamondback looked like a miniature Python, itisn't the same quality and wasn't fitted or finished to the same level.
The action wasn't tuned to Python standards and the blue jobwas not the Royal Blue as used on the Python.
The Diamondback is really a Detective Special level gun withadjustable sights and a barrel that closely resembles a Python barrel.
Production of the Diamondback was from 1966 to 1991.
The Diamondback was available in bright blue, bright nickel,and later a few in satin Electroless nickel, also known as'Coltguard'.
There is considerable disagreement about Diamondbacks in .22Magnum.Some sources say Colt did makea very few .Diamondbacks that were marked .22 Magnum, but these were prototypeguns with a .22 Magnum marked barrel but the cylinders were chambered in .22LR.
The story is that Colt intended to offer the Diamondback in.22 Magnum, but changed their mind.They had already made up a few barrels with .22 Magnum markings, andthat these barrels were mistakenly assembled to frames with .22LR cylinders.Possibly as many as 20 Diamondbacks withthese mis-marked barrels may have been shipped by mistake.
Those guns that will chamber the .22 Magnum were apparentlyre-chambered by owners and are not legitimate Colt guns.
In any case, Colt factory archive data doesn't show any ColtDiamondbacks in .22 Magnum chambering ever shipped by Colt, and the ColtArchive personnel deny any were made or shipped by Colt.
The 2 1/2 inch version was fitted with Service type grips,the 4 inch and 6 inch were fitted with Target grips.
The 2 1/2 inch and 4 inch barrels have front sights that aremachined as part of the barrel. The 6 inch barrel has a separate, pinned-infront sight of the same type as used on the Python, only with a single pin toretain it.
Diamondback's with bright nickel finish in .22LR with 2 1/2inch or 6 inch barrels were limited production and are rare.Only 2,200 6 inch nickel .22's were made.
Colt Diamondback 22 Serial Numbers Free
The 2 1/2' .38 Special model was popular with manypolice detectives and was somewhat a 'cult' item in the Los AnglesPolice Department.
GRIPS
During the production life of the Diamondback, Colt usedSilver grip medallions on earlier production and Gold on later production.
SERVICE GRIPS AS USEDON 2 1/2 INCH MODELS
FIRST TYPE TARGETGRIPS
Note the curvedcheckering border below the medallions.
SECOND TYPE TARGETGRIPS
Note the checkeringborder in a slanted straight line under the medallions
and the scallopedloading cut common to Diamondback grips
There are fakeDiamondback grips being made in South Asia.
Note the brass gripscrew and bushings, and the medallions that look like Colt medallions until youlook closely.