Colt King Cobra 38 special

[OLIAR15]

I just saw an ad from a LGS selling this blued 4 inch Colt King Cobra in .38 special. I was under the impression that back then the King Cobra was a .357 Magnum. Any thoughts ?

[utahjeepr]

That is interesting. I'm no snake gun expert, but the ones I have seen were marked .357. It's blued, so it's 86-92 I think. Odd.

[OLIAR15]

I thought it was special enough and I’m a sucker for Colt DA revolvers and blued guns, so I bought it last night in a 3 guns deal. Got it for an even $ 1000.- but couldn’t take it home, I need another license for it. Serial number indicates built in 1993 according to Colt website. I checked the chambers and they’re cut for .38 special, .357 won’t fit.

[utahjeepr]

For that price I don't think you can go wrong. If it turns out that it is a rare oddball, snake gun collectors may be willing to pay a lot more for it. Either way it's a real nice .38!

[OLIAR15]

For that price I don't think you can go wrong. If it turns out that it is a rare oddball, snake gun collectors may be willing to pay a lot more for it. Either way it's a real nice .38!

I emailed Colt archives and got a very quick reply :

“These are unusual to see, as the overwhelming majority were sold to Mexico, where I believe there is a caliber restriction for anything over 38 (part of the reason 38 Super is popular there). I’m sure a number were probably sent to Europe as well. There were actually several thousand produced – approx.. 4,000.”

And a smart*** friend said “when you have enough Pythons, you buy a King Cobra”

[utahjeepr]

Well there you go. I knew Mexico prohibited civilians from having firearms in "military or law enforcement calibers". I didn't know companies would make special runs to satisfy such a small market (one government run gun store in the entire nation of Mexico).

I wonder if it's scarcity makes it more valuable or collectable?

[Garry_prep]

I just love this model. I have a dream to buy this.

[cd228]

I'm no colt expert, but IIRC they would occasionally put out .38 special only versions of some of their .357. The King Cobra (like yours) and the Python come to mind. I don't know why they did it, but you occasionally see one pop up.