Colt Police Positive .32

[confederatemule]

Pre 1942 Colt Police Positive, .32 caliber, blue, 4" barrel, plastic grips, serial #66880, not sure bout the last 2 digits, but, it is a 5 digit number.
I have not seen the gun. A feller called, last night, wanting to sell it to me. $250.00 firm. He says the finish is, about, 60 percent good.
Now you know as much as I do.
Is there some fault I should look for? Is ammo available? Are cases/brass available.
Thanks for any information.

Mule

 

[Cosmoline]

--Check if it's the pol pos or the pol pos special. The special is a little tougher and may be in .32-20.

--If it's .32 S&W (long), then you should have no problem finding appropriate ammo for it. If it's the .32 Long Colt, it's much tougher. Remember Colt renamed the S&W rounds though so it gets pretty confusing. I believe .32 "Colt New Police" is .32 S&W Long

--The revolver is a joy to shoot and very well balanced. The frame is light weight. The parts can be somewhat fragile if the mileage is high. And timing is always a potential issue. If the timing is good, that's an OK price for 60% but you'd want to inspect it to see what's been lost and whether it's got a nice patina or rust specs. Also is it holster wear, or wear from a lot of shooting. That can give you some indication of whether it's been rode hard or just carried around.

--My .38 Special PPS was dead on at about 20 yards with 158 LRN. I suspect a .32 will be sighted to around the same distance also with lead bullets. These don't always do as well with more modern high vels. So you're likely to do better with lead than the FMJ Fiocchi, but you could try both if you get it.

--The 1942 make is interesting. Colt would have been switching to the Commando production so that's likely a rare year if it can be confirmed by the SN. I'll dig out my little book later unless someone beats me to it. if it was 100% or NIB it would be worth twice that price. But collectors tend to have much less interest in 60% duty pieces.

 

[bannockburn]

confederatemule

The serial number of 66880 in a Police Positive .32 would have been built in 1908. It should have a 1905 patent date on the barrel. Hard rubber grips were standard till around the early 1920's. The price is about right for one in 60% condition, provided everything else checks out okay.

 

[confederatemule]

Thanks y'all. I am supposed to see the gun this evening. Then I'll know more.

 

[Old Fuff]

--The 1942 make is interesting. Colt would have been switching to the Commando production so that's likely a rare year if it can be confirmed by the SN. I'll dig out my little book later unless someone beats me to it. if it was 100% or NIB it would be worth twice that price. But collectors tend to have much less interest in 60% duty pieces.

They made a few using pre-war manufactured parts. I have one chambered in .38 Colt New Police/Colt .38 Police Positive/.38 S&W... Different names for the same cartridge. When they ran out of parts production of the Police Positive ended and never resumed. Some were sent to domestic police departments or factories making war material by the Defence Supply Corporation (DSC) a government agency. Most were sent to allied countries.

 

[confederatemule]

The serial number turned out to be 66900. Where the serial number is located in the frame there is a "5" below the last "0". Where the serial number is located on the swing arm there is no "5" below the last "0". Wonder what the "5" designates?
A.32 S&W cartridge will not go into the cylinder.
On the left side of the barrel it says "COLT DA .32". On the right side it says "POLICE POSITIVE". One "P" for both words.
I did not write down the pat dates, but, the last one is "July 4, 1905". I think the first one is in 1884, and I don't know bout the middle one.
Under the colt trademark is "NEW POLICE"
There in no blueing, except in corners and where nothing could touch it. The Colt trademark is barley visible. There is no rust, but, there are many shallow dings all over it. The bore looks good. The little screw on knob on the ejection rod is missing.
I can not make the cylinder swing out smoothly, nor latch smoothly. The grips are in very good shape.
That is all I can add.

Mule

 

[Jim Watson]

If it won't chamber .32 S&W, then it is a .32 Colt, check ammo availability (not good) before you pay.

Condition with 60% blue, missing parts, and rough operation, is not desirable.

Pass.

 

[Cosmoline]

How was the timing? The condition you describe sounds like a possible shooter, but only if the timing is good.

New Police sounds like the .32 S&W Long, which is a pretty easy round to find. Colt refused to put "S&W" on their revolvers you see ;-) .32 S&W Long was an upgrade of the .32 S&W, which is the parent cartridge to the .32 H&R Mag and the .327 Federal. But I wouldn't put either of those in there--the Police Positive is not a beefy piece.

 

[confederatemule]

I turned it down. Thanks for the help.

Mule