colt new police 32

[tssievert]

i have recently bought a new revolver. it is a colt new police 32, i paid 60 bucks for it, i thought it might be a good deal. can anyone give me some info on this gun. like what ammo it shoots, what its worth, should i shoot it or what? thanks all
troy

 

[dfariswheel]

The Colt New Police is the same gun as the Colt New Pocket revolver, only with a longer grip.

These revolvers were the first swing-out cylinder, double action small revolvers made by Colt.
The New Pocket was introduced in 1895, and the New Police version was introduced in 1896.
It was produced until 1907, when it was replaced by the stronger Police Positive which was basically the same gun only with a new "positive" safety device to prevent firing unless the trigger is pulled.
Colt made 49,000 New Police models.

The New Police was famous as the first standardized double action revolver the New York City police bought, by order of then Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt.

The New Pocket/New Police was the direct ancestor of all the later small framed Colt's like the Police Positive Special, Detective Special, Cobra, and Diamondback.

The New Police was available in .32 Colt, .32 Colt New Police, or the .32 S&W..
It was made in 2 1/2", 4", and 6" barrels, and in bright blue or nickel.
Grips were molded hard black (Gutta Percha) rubber.

As long as a gunsmith checks it out, it should be safe to fire with currently available .32 S&W ammo.
Keep in mind that this is an antique double action, and care should be taken not to drop it or accidentally strike the hammer on a loaded chamber.

Value on these is "around" $400.00 in excellent condition.

 

[Old Fuff]

When I was a kid a friend of my father's gave him a like-new Colt New Police revolver chambered in .32 Long Colt. Although we were living in a somewhat anti-gun bliss-nanny state I was far enough back in the boonies to get away with carrying it. To aid in the concelment I packed it in a genuine cap-pistol cowboy holster. Some folks must have wondered if I wasn't a little bit old for cap pistols, but no one tumbled onto what it really was.

The only problem (then as now) was that the ammunition was hard to find, and expensive when you did. Considering my financial condition at the time it really put a crimp into my shooting it, but shoot it I did.

Most of these interesting revolvers were chambered in .32 Long (and Short) Colt, not .32 S&W Long. Before you go to far, determine which .32 cartridge it uses. The .32 Long Colt kind have chambers bored straight through, and a .32 S&W Long round shouldn't chamber.

If you do shoot it, carry it loaded with 5 chambers, and rest the hammer on the 6th empty one.

 

[tssievert]

it also has P.P.D. engraved on the backstrap. is this normal?

 

[dfariswheel]

P.P.D. is almost certainly a police department stamp.

Pittsburgh PD, Philadelphia PD, etc.???

 

[Dr.Rob]

.32 New Police is interchangeable with .32 S&W Long

 

[Old Fuff]

.32 New Police is interchangeable with .32 S&W Long.

True, but many, if not most of these revolvers were chambered to use the .32 Long Colt cartridge, which is entirely different then the .32 Colt New Police/.32 S&W Long cartridges. Don't confuse the "New Police" markings on the gun to necessarily describe the cartridges it uses.

 

[cda926]

Colt "PPD" New Police

I collect these revolvers. Is this one for sale?? Please contact me at :

[email protected]

CDA

 

[Auxilier]

Bob

IN 1940 churchill set up the BRITISH resistance ORGANIS







In 1940 Churchill set up the British Resistance Organisation to resist GERNAN INVASION. after DUNKIRK WEAPONS WERE IN SNORT SUPPLY AND SOME PISTOLS CAME FROM THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT. THESE WERE MOST LIKELY REDUNDANT COLY .32 NEW POLICE, CAN ANYONE HELP HERE? BOb(EX BRO 1940)/