Just went to the gunshow and made a purchase. Problem is I know nothing about this gun. Its a colt police positive,stainless steel, chambered in 38 s&w #5585xx. Like I said I know nothing about these revolvers, it appears old maybe 1920s ,if so its in pretty good shape, a little wear at the end of the barrel and some minor scratching(holster wear?). If anyone has any info on these Id appreciate it.Thanks
colt police positive
- Thread starter mokster
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Check out The Colt Forum at http://www.coltforum.com
These folks can help you if anyone can. Very nice people and very knowledgeable.
These folks can help you if anyone can. Very nice people and very knowledgeable.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
If it's old, it's not stainless steel.
Dfariswheel will know for sure, but I believe the Police Positive was made in blued steel and nickel-plated.
Dfariswheel will know for sure, but I believe the Police Positive was made in blued steel and nickel-plated.
dfariswheel
Member
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5585xx shows as a Colt Police Positive Special made in 1950.
The year started at 542400 and ended at 571499.
There are no Police Positive numbers that go that high.
The Police Positive framed guns were discontinued in 1943 at something over 406725 ???
The Police Positive and Police Positive Special were made only in Bright blue, and bright nickel.
Some mid-1980's Colt's were made in satin Electroless Nickel, also known as "Coltguard".
More Info????
The year started at 542400 and ended at 571499.
There are no Police Positive numbers that go that high.
The Police Positive framed guns were discontinued in 1943 at something over 406725 ???
The Police Positive and Police Positive Special were made only in Bright blue, and bright nickel.
Some mid-1980's Colt's were made in satin Electroless Nickel, also known as "Coltguard".
More Info????
Sunray
Member
I'm guessing it's nickel plated or chromed. 6" barrel? Holster wear on SS looks like a bit of polishing. Anything else is a finish wearing off.
"...chambered in 38 s&w..." Is that stamped on it? Colt had their own name for that cartridge. .38 Colt New Police. Same thing.
Slug the bore. Hammer a cast .357" bullet through the barrel and measure it with a micrometer. If it reads .360" or close to that, it's a .38 S&W bore.
.38 S&W uses a .360" bullet, with a case that's shorter than a .38 Special. They're not interchangeable.
Brass, dies and loaded ammo is easy enough to come by, but you may have to order it. Winchester makes it.
Oh, and remember that if the price was right and you can get ammo, any firearm can be fun. A .38 S&W just takes a bit more to get it shooting.
"...chambered in 38 s&w..." Is that stamped on it? Colt had their own name for that cartridge. .38 Colt New Police. Same thing.
Slug the bore. Hammer a cast .357" bullet through the barrel and measure it with a micrometer. If it reads .360" or close to that, it's a .38 S&W bore.
.38 S&W uses a .360" bullet, with a case that's shorter than a .38 Special. They're not interchangeable.
Brass, dies and loaded ammo is easy enough to come by, but you may have to order it. Winchester makes it.
Oh, and remember that if the price was right and you can get ammo, any firearm can be fun. A .38 S&W just takes a bit more to get it shooting.
BluesBear
member
Well actually the .38S&W is .359"
.38 Super dies can be used to reload it. Only the shell holders are different. I see .38S&W and .38 Super dies at rock bottom prices at guns shows quite often.
Could the gun be a later Police Positive Special chambered in .38CNP/S&W?
.38 Super dies can be used to reload it. Only the shell holders are different. I see .38S&W and .38 Super dies at rock bottom prices at guns shows quite often.
Could the gun be a later Police Positive Special chambered in .38CNP/S&W?
On this model the serial number was stamped on the frame, under the breech end of the barrel. You have to swing out the cylinder too see it. If there are any letters ignore them, as they are inspector's marks.
If it is a Police Positive the cylinder will be 1.25" inches long. If it is a Police Positive Special the cylinder will be 1.575" long.
If it is a Police Positive the cylinder will be 1.25" inches long. If it is a Police Positive Special the cylinder will be 1.575" long.
ReadyontheRight
Member
On a side note, I belive that was Barney Fife's gun on the Andy Griffith Show.
Are you going to carry more than "one bullet"?
Are you going to carry more than "one bullet"?
45+
Member
The third gun I ever bought was a blue 4" Colt Police Positive Special. Great fun with wadcutters, serious enough with some factory ammo of the day for most jobs, and excellent with some handloads much like the FBI Load or Miami Load with LSWC. It was an excellent shooter and I never felt undergunned even though I only had loops for reloads (I had never seen a speedloader).
As Sunray said, all guns are fun if the price is right and ammo can be had or made.
Enjoy this bit of history you have acquired.
Good shootin'....
As Sunray said, all guns are fun if the price is right and ammo can be had or made.
Enjoy this bit of history you have acquired.
Good shootin'....
The older Police Positive was made for the .32 Colt, .32 Colt New Police (.32 S&W), and the .38 Colt New Police (.38 S&W). The later Police Positive Special was originally made for .32-20, .32 Colt New Police, .38 Colt New Police and .38 Special. Later all calibers were dropped except the .38 Special.
FWIW, the .32 and .38 "Colt New Police" cartridges were pure hype. With the exception of minor changes in the bullet, they are identical with the .32 and .38 Smith & Wesson cartridges. Colt simply did not want to use the hated words "Smith & Wesson", so they invented their own names for the cartridges for advertising purposes.
Jim
FWIW, the .32 and .38 "Colt New Police" cartridges were pure hype. With the exception of minor changes in the bullet, they are identical with the .32 and .38 Smith & Wesson cartridges. Colt simply did not want to use the hated words "Smith & Wesson", so they invented their own names for the cartridges for advertising purposes.
Jim
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