The Colt Cobra is easy to recognize in the hand but not always easy to date from the number alone. Colt used shared D-frame serial blocks for the Cobra, Detective Special, Agent, and related revolvers, so a serial-number lookup should be treated as the starting point rather than the whole answer.
Interactive Lookup Tool
Open the GCC Serial Number Lookup App
Use the lookup app when you want to enter a number, compare prefixes and suffixes, and keep this Cobra guide open for physical identification notes.
Open Lookup Tool in New WindowHow to Read Colt Cobra Serial Numbers
Start by writing down the entire serial number exactly as stamped. Do not drop a letter, hyphen, or suffix. On vintage Cobras the number may be plain numeric, may include an LW light-weight marking, or may fall into later shared D-frame letter-prefix and suffix blocks.
Where to Look
- Check the frame and crane/yoke area first.
- Look for the barrel rollmark identifying the model as Colt Cobra.
- Confirm the alloy frame rather than assuming every short-barrel D-frame is a Cobra.
- Remove grips only when you know how to do so without damaging the stocks, screws, or finish.
Colt Cobra Serial Number Lookup Table
This table follows the shared Colt D-frame ranges used for the Cobra and closely related models. The ranges are useful for dating, but they should be read alongside the physical inspection notes below.
| Year / Period | Approximate Serial Range | Prefix / Suffix | Collector Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 542,401–571,500 | None / early LW markings | Cobra production begins mid-year; alloy-frame D-frame revolver shares the post-war D-frame range. |
| 1951 | 571,501–607,400 | None | Early production; confirm alloy frame and barrel rollmark. |
| 1952 | 607,401–624,850 | None | First-generation open ejector-rod configuration. |
| 1953 | 624,851–648,900 | None | Shared D-frame numbering; model confirmation by markings and frame material. |
| 1954 | 648,901–662,650 | None | Blue and nickel examples encountered; condition and originality drive value. |
| 1955 | 662,651–672,050 | None | Mid-1950s production; check stocks, finish, and barrel length. |
| 1956 | 672,051–695,400 | None | Shared D-frame production continues. |
| 1957 | 695,401–710,600 | None | First-generation Cobra; alloy frame remains the key distinction from Detective Special. |
| 1958 | 710,601–725,600 | None | Late 1950s production. |
| 1959 | 725,601–750,000 | None | No-prefix serial-number period. |
| 1960 | 750,001–776,400 | None | Early 1960s production. |
| 1961 | 776,401–797,500 | None | Shared D-frame range. |
| 1962 | 797,501–819,500 | None | Check barrel address, stocks, and finish for originality. |
| 1963 | 819,501–839,500 | None | Pre-1966 no-prefix production. |
| 1964 | 839,501–861,500 | None | No-prefix production; verify model by physical features. |
| 1965 | 861,501–890,800 | None | Late no-prefix period; wraparound wood stocks appear in this general era. |
| 1966 | 890,801 + D900,101–D926,000 | None / D prefix begins | Transition to D-prefix numbering within the shared D-frame family. |
| 1967 | D926,001–D958,500 | D prefix | D-prefix shared D-frame range. |
| 1968 | D958,501–D995,000 | D prefix | D-prefix production continues. |
| 1969 | D995,001–D998,715; A10,000–A43,500 | D / A prefix | Multiple prefix blocks; confirm full serial exactly. |
| 1970 | A43,501–A59,999; B01,001–B23,000 | A / B prefix | Late first-generation production. |
| 1971 | B23,001–B49,000 | B prefix | Late open ejector-rod era. |
| 1972 | B49,001–B59,999; C01,001–C26,000 | B / C prefix | End of early configuration period; Third Issue style arrives for 1973. |
| 1973 | C26,001–C60,000; F01,001–F08,800 | C / F prefix | Second Model Cobra period with shrouded ejector rod and heavier barrel profile. |
| 1974 | F08,801–F60,000; H01,001–H18,100 | F / H prefix | Second Model production. |
| 1975 | H18,101–H60,000; M01,001–M29,600 | H / M prefix | Second Model production; multiple letter blocks. |
| 1976 | M29,601–M51,999; 01001M–19200M | M prefix / M suffix | Prefix and suffix formats overlap; read the whole serial. |
| 1977 | 19,201M–59,999M; 01001R–11700R | M suffix / R suffix | Second Model production. |
| 1978 | 11,701R–59,999R; S01001+ | R suffix / S prefix | Later shared D-frame blocks. |
| 1979–1981 | S-prefix and related late blocks | S prefix / late blocks | Late vintage Cobra production; factory records or a Colt letter may be needed for exact shipment details. |
| 1986 | Regular vintage production ends | — | D-frame Cobra production is generally treated as discontinued by the mid-1980s; check late examples carefully. |
| 2017–present | Modern Cobra series | Modern system | Not part of the vintage D-frame serial-number sequence. |
Colt Cobra Generations and Issue Identification
First Generation Cobra, 1950–1972
The original Cobra was Colt’s lightweight answer to the steel Detective Special. It used an aluminum-alloy frame and was commonly encountered with a 2-inch barrel, although longer-barrel examples exist. Early examples are especially interesting when they retain their original finish, correct stocks, and light-weight markings.
| Period | Typical Characteristics | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | Alloy frame, open ejector rod, early stocks, blue or nickel finish. | Look for first-year features, LW association, correct stocks, and originality. |
| 1960s | No-prefix serials for much of the decade, later transition to letter blocks. | Confirm barrel rollmark, grip style, and frame material. |
| 1970–1972 | Late first-generation production before shrouded-ejector style. | Read prefix blocks carefully and compare with issue features. |
Second Model Cobra, 1973–1981/1986
The later Cobra adopted a heavier barrel profile and shrouded ejector rod, giving it a more modern profile than the earlier open-ejector-rod guns. These are usually less scarce than early Cobras but remain desirable when clean, original, and mechanically tight.
| Feature | Early Cobra | Second Model Cobra |
|---|---|---|
| Ejector rod | Open / unshrouded | Shrouded |
| Barrel profile | Lighter early profile | Heavier profile |
| Serial format | No-prefix and early letter blocks | Multiple letter prefix/suffix blocks |
| Collector appeal | Higher interest for early, scarce, or documented examples | Strong interest in clean nickel, boxed, or unusual examples |
Modern Cobra, 2017 and Later
The modern Cobra is a separate production family. It may carry the Cobra name, but it is not part of the vintage alloy-frame D-frame serial-number sequence. Treat modern guns separately when researching date, production, and collector value.
How to Identify Your Colt Cobra
- Record the full serial number. Include every letter, suffix, hyphen, and unusual marking.
- Confirm the frame material. The Cobra’s alloy frame is the dividing line from the steel Detective Special.
- Read the barrel rollmark. Barrel markings should match the model, caliber, and period.
- Inspect the ejector rod. Open-ejector-rod guns generally belong to the earlier style; shrouded-ejector guns belong to the later style.
- Check the stocks. Original stocks, medallions, fit, and screw condition can add or subtract meaningful value.
- Look for finish clues. Factory nickel is different from later refinish work. Edges, markings, and screw holes often tell the story.
Collector Notes for the Colt Cobra
- First-year Cobras: 1950 examples deserve extra care in inspection because first-year production, early markings, and condition can carry a premium.
- LW and alloy-frame identity: The Cobra was Colt’s lightweight D-frame. Do not confuse a steel Detective Special with a Cobra just because the serial range overlaps.
- Nickel finish: Factory nickel Cobras are desirable, but refinished guns are common enough that originality should be checked closely.
- Aircrew Model: Aircrew-related lightweight Colt revolvers are a specialized collecting area and should be authenticated cautiously.
- Jack Ruby provenance: Jack Ruby’s Cobra, serial number 2744LW, is one of the most famous individual Cobra revolvers and shows why documentation matters.
- Factory letters: A Colt Archive Letter can document shipping date, destination, barrel length, finish, and original configuration when available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the serial number on a Colt Cobra?
On vintage Colt Cobras, start in the crane or yoke area and on the frame. Read the complete number, including any letter prefix, suffix, or LW marking, before comparing it to a table.
Why does my Colt Cobra share a serial range with the Detective Special?
The Cobra was an alloy-frame D-frame revolver and shared serial-number blocks with the Detective Special, Agent, and other related Colt D-frame models. The serial number helps date the gun, but the frame material and barrel markings confirm the model.
What does LW mean on an early Cobra?
LW means Light Weight and is associated with the aluminum-alloy frame. Early Cobras may show the LW suffix or related light-weight marking conventions.
Is a first-year 1950 Cobra collectible?
Yes. A 1950 Cobra is first-year production and should be inspected for original finish, correct stocks, barrel length, LW marking, and overall condition.
Are the 2017 and later Cobras covered by the vintage tables?
No. The modern Cobra uses a separate modern serial system and should not be dated from the vintage D-frame tables.
Greg Cook publishes Gun Collectors Club as a collector reference library focused on firearm history, identification, preservation, and practical research notes for serious collectors.
Sources Consulted
- Colt factory records and published serial-number references.
- Colt Archive Properties guidance for factory letters and shipping records.
- Gurney Brown, The Colt Double Action Revolvers.
- R. L. Wilson, Colt: An American Legend.
- Author observations and Gun Collectors Club internal collector notes.