Colt 32 revolvers

[oneounceload]

One of the big-box stores near me has a very nice looking 32 Colt revolver. IIRC, the clerk said it was a 32 new police.

The question becomes thus:

Which of Colt's 32 calibers is the same as the 32 S&W Long?

(Is there a site that shows all the older calibers and which are the same?)

Thanks in advance

 

[Vern Humphrey]

It's the same cartridge. Like the .38 Special, both makers used their own names for the same round.

 

[krs]

The Colt .32 New Police fired the .32 S&W Long interchangably, but there was another cartridge known as "32 Long Colt which is not interchangable.

In case it comes up the marking "32 Colt New Police" is the full name of the cartridge that was used, so it isn't a New Police model revolver that happens to be in .32 caliber.

 

[oneounceload]

Finally got back to the big-box and wrote the following:

Colt Police Positive 32 Police, serial # 175XXX, which according to Proofhouse makes it a 1921 or 1922 model year.

So, based on what I have seen, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the same then as the 32 SWL??

Thanks again

 

[MMCSRET]

It is the same as the 32 S&W long. I own 4 Colt revolvers in that caliber. 3 of them were built in the 20's and I load and shoot all of them. The Police positive on the 32 frame is the smallest. In 1928 or so they started offering the 32 on the Police Positive 38 frame size and they also offered the 32 Police caliber in the larger Police Positive Special model. I have 2 PP, 1 PP on the 38 frame and 1 PPS. Great guns and a treasure to own and use.

 

[oneounceload]

It looks damn near new except for some blue wear on the left side of the barrel, probably from either holster or drawer-sitting......cylinder has zero play when you pull the trigger with the hammer back - looks like it would be great to plink with and reloaded ammo will costs about the same as a .22

What do you think of their value/cost for one that old?

 

[MMCSRET]

I have paid from $175.00 up to $450.00 for my last one that is better than 90%, it is the 32 on 38 frame and a 5" barrel. Go over to the Coltforum and ask around.

 

[Old Fuff]

Part of the reason for confusion is because in 1896 Colt introduced a "New Police" revolver, designed in particular for the New York City Police Department. Most were chambered in .32 Long Colt, but as the .32 S&W Long became popular they offered that option too.

But of course they didn't want to put anything on a Colt product that had "S&W" in it, so they got the ammunition companies to bring out an identical cartridge (except for a small flat on the front of the bullet) and called it the .32 Colt New Police (cartridge). About 1908 they discontinued the New Police revolver and replaced it with the Police Positive, but the .32 Colt New Police cartridge continued on until shortly after World War Two.

You can easily tell the difference. Those that were chambered in .32 Long Colt had the chambers bored straight through, as is done today with .22 LR revolver chambers. Those that are chambered to use the Colt New Police and .32 S&W Long cartridges (which are interchangeable) have a step in the front of the chamber, as is the practice today in C.F. revolvers.

 

[oneounceload]

Many thanks!