The original Colt Cobra was an alloy-frame revolver produced from 1950 to 1981. Early Cobra serial research follows the lightweight family grouped with Aircrewman, Courier and Agent, rather than the early Police Positive Special / Detective Special numeric table.
Record the complete serial exactly as stamped. The selected LW anchors below are approximate published reference points, not complete annual ranges or factory shipment dates. Confirm the barrel rollmark, caliber, frame material and period features before using a date reference.
Interactive Lookup Tool
Open the GCC Serial Number Lookup App
The GCC lookup app covers other Colt families; it does not calculate vintage Cobra, modern Cobra or King Cobra years. For Cobra dating, start with Colt's official lookup and keep this guide open for model identification.
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. Early vintage Cobras use the lightweight family's LW suffix sequence; later letter systems must be checked for the exact model and letter position.
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 Published LW Reference Anchors
ProofHouse's lightweight-family table lists these selected year/serial anchors for Cobra, Aircrewman, Courier and Agent. Read them as approximate published reference points. They are not complete annual ranges, Cobra-only production counts or confirmed shipping dates.
| Year | Published LW reference anchor | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 1LW | Cobra / Aircrewman / Courier / Agent lightweight family |
| 1951 | 1500LW | Cobra / Aircrewman / Courier / Agent lightweight family |
| 1955 | 33900LW | Cobra / Aircrewman / Courier / Agent lightweight family |
| 1960 | 94800LW | Cobra / Aircrewman / Courier / Agent lightweight family |
| 1965 | 154100LW | Cobra / Aircrewman / Courier / Agent lightweight family |
| 1968 | 245700LW | Cobra / Aircrewman / Courier / Agent lightweight family |
The separate Police Positive Special / Detective Special table lists 542400 for 1950. That is not the early Cobra LW sequence. Later Cobra letter blocks and 1979-1981 serial coverage require further source verification; no exact ranges are assigned here.
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
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
Colt introduced the modern Cobra in 2017 with stainless steel construction. It is a separate production family from the vintage alloy-frame Cobra. Modern Cobra and King Cobra serials are outside this page's LW anchor coverage and the GCC vintage lookup app.
How to Identify Your Colt Cobra
- Record the full serial number. Include every letter, suffix, hyphen, and unusual marking.
- Confirm the frame material. The vintage Cobra's alloy frame distinguishes it from the steel Detective Special; the modern Cobra is stainless steel.
- 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 vintage Cobra was Colt's lightweight D-frame. Confirm the model and complete LW or letter format before choosing a serial reference.
- 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
How do I use the Colt Cobra Serial Number Lookup?
Record the complete serial number, including every letter, suffix, and hyphen. Use the published approximate LW anchors only as research clues for an early vintage Cobra. Confirm model markings and frame material, then use Colt records for dating; the GCC app does not calculate Cobra years.
Can a serial number confirm the exact manufacture year of a Colt firearm?
A published serial anchor is an approximate research clue, not proof of an exact manufacture or shipment date. Confirm the model before dating it, and use a Colt Archive Letter when definitive shipping information matters.
What markings should I check when the serial number alone is inconclusive?
Check the barrel rollmark, complete crane or yoke markings, LW designation, letter position, caliber, frame material, barrel length, ejector-rod style, and generation features. These details help distinguish an alloy-frame Cobra from a Detective Special, Agent, or another related Colt D-frame revolver.
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.
Can I date an early Cobra from the Detective Special table?
Do not use the early Police Positive Special / Detective Special numeric table for a Cobra. Published references list the early Cobra lightweight family separately with LW suffix anchors. Later letter systems require exact model and serial-format verification.
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
- ProofHouse: Cobra, Aircrewman, Courier & Agent — published approximate LW reference anchors; not factory shipment dates.
- ProofHouse: Police Positive Special & Detective Special — a separate early numeric sequence, not the early Cobra LW sequence.
- Shooting Times: Colt's Cobra, First of the Lightweight Serpents — 1950 introduction, 1973 shrouded-ejector change and 1981 discontinuance.
- Colt's 2017 Cobra announcement — the separate stainless steel revival.
- Colt Serial Number Lookup — approximate, incomplete results; archival documentation for definitive information.
- Gurney Brown, The Colt Double Action Revolvers.
- R. L. Wilson, Colt: An American Legend.
- Author observations and Gun Collectors Club internal collector notes.