Colt Diamondback D5520 .38 Special 2.5 Inch Double Action Revolver, Manufactured 1969 C&R
Archival record: Specifications and condition reflect the firearm as listed at the time of auction.
Final Auction Price: $1,475.00
Introduced in 1966, the Colt Diamondback brought much of the visual character of the larger Python to Colt’s smaller D frame, pairing a ventilated rib, full underlug, adjustable sights, and finely finished exterior with chamberings suited to a more compact revolver. Manufactured in 1969, this early .38 Special example features the desirable 2.5 inch barrel, original blue finish, and checkered walnut stocks with Colt medallions. Retaining approximately 96 percent of its original finish with an excellent bore and tight lockup, it remains a particularly attractive example of one of Colt’s classic Snake Gun designs.
Identification
MMA#: 260808DS009
Make: Colt
Model: Diamondback D5520
Serial Number: D31546
Year of Manufacture: 1969
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: Six Shot Double Action / Single Action Revolver with Swing Out Fluted Cylinder
Barrel Length: 2.5 Inches with Full Underlug and Ventilated Rib
Sights / Optics
The front sight is a finely serrated ramp blade integral to the ventilated rib. The rib has a matte finish to reduce glare.
The rear sight is a flat top, square notch leaf mounted in a base pinned to the top strap and adjustable for both windage and elevation.
Stock / Grip Configuration & Condition
The grips are two piece checkered walnut panels with Colt logo medallions.
The interiors of the grips are marked “546.”
The grips exhibit light handling wear and a few minor marks. There are no chips or cracks, and the checkering remains sharp.
Overall grip condition: Fine to Excellent.
Finish & Overall Condition
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
This revolver retains approximately 96 percent of its original metal finish.
The finish is thinning along most edges, with a few scattered light marks and scratches. The most notable marks are present on the trigger guard.
The cylinder has a thin, faint turn line.
The screw heads remain sharp and the markings are clear.
Overall condition: Fine.
Bore & Mechanics
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no observed erosion. In the original evaluator’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly.
With the trigger depressed, the cylinder locks with no play on each chamber. The double action trigger pull is smooth and the single action pull is crisp.
The revolver was not test fired.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories
None.
Our Assessment
Colt introduced the Diamondback in 1966, creating a revolver that brought many of the styling cues associated with the Python to the company’s smaller D frame.
The family resemblance was unmistakable. A ventilated barrel rib, full length ejector rod shroud, adjustable rear sight, ramped front sight, and polished exterior gave the Diamondback the distinctive profile that had helped establish the Python as Colt’s flagship double action revolver. The smaller frame and more compact dimensions, however, gave the Diamondback an identity of its own.
This example was manufactured in 1969, placing it among the earlier years of Diamondback production. It is chambered in .38 Special and fitted with the compact 2.5 inch barrel, producing one of the most recognizable configurations of the model.
The short barrel is paired with features that were decidedly upscale for a compact revolver. Its ventilated rib carries a finely serrated ramp front sight, while the rear sight is fully adjustable for windage and elevation. Beneath the barrel, the full underlug gives the little Diamondback the same distinctive visual language associated with Colt’s larger Snake Guns.
The revolver retains its original blue finish, approximately 96 percent of which remains. There is thinning along the edges and scattered light handling marks and scratches, with some of the more noticeable wear appearing around the trigger guard. A thin and faint turn line is present on the cylinder.
Its two piece checkered walnut grips carry Colt medallions and remain in Fine to Excellent condition. They show only light handling wear and a few minor marks, with sharp checkering and no chips or cracks. The interiors are marked “546.”
Mechanical condition is equally encouraging. The cylinder locks with no play on each chamber when the trigger is depressed. The double action pull is smooth, while the single action breaks crisply. The bore remains bright with sharp rifling and no observed erosion, earning a 10 out of 10 rating during cataloging.
The Diamondback occupies an interesting position within Colt collecting today. It carries the styling and craftsmanship associated with the company’s famous Snake Gun family while remaining distinctly smaller than the Python. The 2.5 inch .38 Special configuration takes that concept to its compact extreme, combining the Diamondback’s distinctive ribbed barrel and adjustable sights with proportions suited to a much smaller revolver.
With its 1969 production date, 2.5 inch barrel, original blue finish, walnut stocks, strong mechanical condition, and approximately 96 percent remaining finish, this Diamondback is an appealing early example of one of Colt’s most recognizable double action revolvers.
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