Gun Show Pickup- Colt Police Positive Special

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XxWINxX94

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Hello everyone,
Last week I had put $ down on a vintage Colt.
Went to the gun show this weekend to pick it up and boy am I happy.

Its a Colt Police Positive Special, in .38 Special.
Its S/N is 270,XXX putting it in the mid 20's I believe.
The metal is in very good shape for being 80+ years old, some wear from a holster on the muzzle, and grip, but nothing major. Bore is also very good.

What I find odd, but cool, is that it has a 6'' barrel, and I've never seen a Police Positive with that long of a barrel.

I paid $400, let me know what you think!

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Will hopefully take some better pictures today.
 
Very cool. The 6" isn't seen all that often.

No +P in any gun made before 1930 is my personal policy. But with standard ammo should be fun to shoot.
 
Nice aquisition; looks to be in great condition. You're right about the date of manufacture; the serial number puts it at 1923.
 
Thanks everyone! I haven't really got a chance to shoot it yet, but hopefully will next weekend. I also have a question; under the serial number the letter "q" is present, and I'm not sure why. Could it just be a factory code? I will try and get a picture of it tomorrow.
 
Could it just be a factory code? I will try and get a picture of it tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Sort of. Factory inspectors were assigned either a letter or number, and if a Colt pistol or revolver - or part thereof - passed, they had to stamp whatever letter or number identified them at a certain place on the gun or part. This showed that the (whatever) had been inspected and found to be O.K. If it later turned out that something was amiss the boss would know who to talk too. :uhoh:

Talk about quality control, those old Colt's had it.

If you look the gun over carefully you'll find more such letters. ;)
 
Very nice find! The best accuracy with my old PPS was with 158 LRN's, standard pressure. The sights seem to have been pre-adjusted to hit on the money at about 20-25 yards with that load. With that long barrel you should do some 25 yard bullseye shooting.
 
Pressures were, if anything, hotter back then. But then again time has its way with all things and it isn't the stoutest revolver design out there. Best to take it easy on pre-war Colts, I'd think. I had a mainspring snap on me in a DS once, and it was real tricky to get a replacement that fit.
 
I had a mainspring snap on me in a DS once, and it was real tricky to get a replacement that fit.
Click to expand...

A good point: Pre-war mainsprings are different the post-war ones, and the newer springs won't work in the older revolvers. As might be expected, older springs are not always easy to find, and usually expensive when you do.
 
I see, so the "q" has to do with inspection of the gun, and certain letters represent certain people. So it has a similarity to say, an M1 Garand with the initials?

Anyway, here is some more eye-candy for the Colt fans here.
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Here you can see the "q" below the serial number.
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XxWin,

You did good son, it would be interesting to know some of its history.... well, maybe! LOL Take good care, aren't many like her around anymore.:rolleyes:
 
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