'37 Colt Official Police - N.I.B!

[vanfunk]

'37 Colt Official Police - Range Report!

Well, it's new in "a" box, not necessarily "the" box!

Anyway, I stopped in to one of my favorite local gunstores yesterday to peruse the used gun showcase. I spied a sad little Colt Police Positive Special in the case and asked to look at it. While I pondered its slim profile and graceful lines, the owner mentioned to me that they'd just taken possession of a cache of pre-war revolvers in "pretty good shape". Naturally I asked to see a few of them. What he brought out next was a brand-spankin'-new 1937 Colt Official Police .38 Special with a 6" barrel. Faint burn rings on the cylinder face indicated that it had been fired, but the recoil shield and firing pin bushing were unblemished - it looked to be a factory test-fire only. I estimated the single-action letoff to be about 3.5 lbs., and the double action about 12 lbs. with that characteristic Colt "stacking" - both pulls were smooth as glass. That gorgeous old Colt blue really did me in. How this thing survived 68 years in this condition is beyond me. Guns just aren't made this well anymore! It should go without saying that I bought it, for what I thought was the reasonable price of $450.

Anybody else into these old Colts?

Thanks,
vanfunk

 

[thatguy]

I prefer mine with adjustable sights.



Or not...

 

[armoredman]

Very nice, sir! Good steal, er, I mean deal.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

Sounds like a nice find. I love my Colts, but don't have a Police Positive, yet. A few years ago, they were the cheapest Colts out there, in this area, but now, it seems like some of the Agents, Cobras, and Detective Specials are the least expensive. I'm always watching out for a good deal on older Colts, but, unfortunately, I usually don't have any money when I run across them.

 

[vanfunk]

Thanks Guys!
I've seen a big jump in prices recently, too. Especially with the large frame Colts, a la the New Service line. I saw a very finish-worn, but mechanically sound New Service .45 Colt (RCMP marked) for sale a month ago for $950. The Police Positives Specials and Official Polices have been better, but I rarely see examples for sale with anything better than 70% finish. My jaw hit the floor when I saw that my "new" piece was actually made in 1937! Talk about a time warp...

Now to get some ammo for it, and tomorrow...to the range!

vanfunk

 

[BBBS]

Hi, most of my Colts are .22's. Woodsmans and Diamondbacks. I have a .38 or two also. Just from last year they seem to have gone up 15-20% in price. The oldest Colts I have are a couple Pre-Woodsmans and a Bullseye Match Target. Here's a Python serial # 22xxx I think a '62 model. I have never shot it and I can't say it's been fired a lot before me. Wish I had the box.

 

[BBBS]

Here's another

 

[BBBS]

Guns have oil on them, that's why they look that way.

 

[xx78]

Hello,
I just bought a Colt Official Police made in 1944. The Colt is is very good condition and shoots great. Yes I like old Colts. Well I must admit, I like old guns period.

 

[Standing Wolf]

...I bought it, for what I thought was the reasonable price of $450.

You got away with a felony.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Love those pre-war Colts. Even the funny humped-back grip and oddball calibers. I had to pass on a .32 Police Positive that was mint... just could not come up with the $.

 

[Glock19Fan]

I have GOT to stop reading these threads!

I want a Colt now...

 

[vanfunk]

I finally got a chance to take the "new" old Colt to the range after work this afternoon. The only ammo I had on hand was Winchester USA 150 grain (why not 158?) LRN, but it seemed appropriate fodder for the ol' girl. I did some plinking at 25 yards to get a feel for the trigger. I revelled in the mild recoil after shooting so much .45ACP lately. Detergent bottles weren't much of a challenge at that distance, so I moved to the 50 yard berm with my well-ventilated detergent bottle amd continued my plinkage. After 3 cylinders full, hits became easy at 50 yards so I put up some targets and settled down to test the Colt off a rest. I used a rolled up carpet remnant to brace my hands and fired the OP single action at the bull's eye 50 yards distant. After two cylinders slow-fire I trudged down to look at the targets and was amazed. All twelve shots had landed in a 4" circle, just a wee-wee little bit to the left of the "X". I was astonished to say the least! On bad days, I can't manage groups like that with 16" carbines!. I mean, seriously, this thing is an absolute laser. I know plenty of folks who wouldn't be too impressed with a 4" 50 yard group from a rest, but man, the gun's 68 years old and it's equipped with half-moon front sight and a little slit in the rear! I can't wait to shoot it again. The groups can only get better.


Now to see what other gems might be lurking in that big estate purchase down at the gun store...

vanfunk

 

[BluesBear]

It seems that in the 30s, 40s & 50s, almost every household had at least one handgun. In many homes this meant a gun laying in a dresser drawer for those just-in-case times that hopefully most people never have.

As a result there are many fine guns from that era that have seldom if ever been fired. back then you didn't worry about a gun functioning right out of the box. That's because they would.

Especially in the more rural or suburban area it's still not uncommon for someone who is not into firearms to decide to sell Gramdma's old handgun.
After all, just think of all those millions of vintage firearms out there. Someone has them. America's closets and bureau drawers are full for them. Some are junk and some are pristine.
There are still treasures to be discovered, as well as bargains to be found.
Happy hunting.