Help please...Colt Police Positive grips

[digi-shots]

I just picked up a Colt Police Positive today. It currently has the UGLIEST white plastic grips I've ever seen! Not to mention that they are about 1/4" too short (where the top meets the frame... bottom fits fine).

It's a little worn but the price was right.

I'd like to start looking for the correct grips but I'm not sure what they should look like. Serial number is 376,594. I think the DOB should be about 1937 ??
I'm not sure if they should be the old black plastic COLT grips or the wooden ones.

I believe the gun takes the shorter Colt .38 round (.38 SW). The cylinder length is 1 1/4". Is this a D frame?

As soon as I can get it cleaned up and wearing the proper grips, I'll post a pic. I'd like to find some grips that have a little wear and match the finish on the gun.

The backstrap is marked Ry. Ex. Agy. which I believe is the old Railway Express Agency (Company?).

Thanks for the help!

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Very cool. Can you post pics? That will help with any and all questions you might have.

If you decide to upgrade the grip with a Tyler T-Grip (run a THR search if unfamiliar w/ this accessory), Colt D-frame models often come up for $5 on eBay, if you watch for a couple weeks.

-MV

 

[dfariswheel]

A 1937 should have checkered walnut with a Silver Colt medallion.

Be careful when shopping, because these early guns had a full length grip frame.
Guns made after 1965 have a short grip frame and the grips overlap on the bottom.

 

[digi-shots]

Hey Thanks!

I don't think it'll help to post pics since the gun doesn't have the correct grips.

I did some searching and found 2 types of grips for the Police Positive:

1) Police Positive Wide Square Butt
2) Police Positive Round Butt (also fits Banker, Cobra, & Colt Det. Spec.)

I don't see any mention of "full length grips"....

The bottom of the frame is square, so I know I need square butt grips.

 

[Majic]

What dwheel was saying is the early guns had a longer grip frame from those made after 1965. There are 2 different size stocks for the D-frames. The early long stocks can be a little harder to find.

 

[medmo]

Brownell's has Vintage Grips which are hard, back rubber reproductions of the original grips. Here is the link:

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1746&title=REPRODUCTION+HANDGUN+GRIPS

 

[XavierBreath]

Vintage Grips Inc is another grip reproduction source. Here is a Police Positive with some of their grips. A little fitting, and a little weathering with some steel wool and voila!



Lets see a pic of that shooter digi!

 

[dfariswheel]

Here's a picture of the difference between the post-1965 grips frame, and the older long butt frame.

Note that this is a rounded butt as used on the Detective Special. Your Police Positive Special will be the same length only the bottom will not be rounded off.


Here's a picture of the correct walnut grips. NOTE: The medallions should be Silver for a 30's model:



Here's a picture of the overlapping grips as used on the later short frame models.
Note how the grip overlap on the bottom. These will NOT fit your gun.

 

[digi-shots]

Dfariswheel....

Thanks so much! I was going to post a question asking what they looked like. You beat me to it! Thanks for the pics.

The proper grips have a definite look to them. I'll make a couple of calls tomorrow and see if I can find some.

If not, there's a gun show coming up in two weeks.... it'll give me something to look for.

The gun is soaking in some kerosene right now... I wanted to clean it out a little. I will post some pics when I get the new grips.

 

[digi-shots]

XavierBreath....

Good looking Police Positive! That's next on my list..