Information on Colt D.A. 32

[dacsoft]

I just inherited a Colt D.A. 32 New Police revolver. It is serial number 26253. Can anybody give me more information on this gun?

Here is a link to the picture
http://www.shareaphoto.info/uploads/d43fe0ed84.jpg


I am interested in age, value, what shells to use, and other information about the gun.

Thanks in advance,

 

[Ron James]

Colt New Police Model,1896-1907, Your serial number is in the 1905 range. 49,500 made in 2.5 inch, 4 inch, and 6 inch barrel lengths. The NYPD purchased 4,500 in which case if yours is one it would be clearly marked. The finishes were blue or nickle plated. The Standard Catalog of Firearms gives the value of 100 in poor and yours looks as if it's been rode hard and put away wet. What to fire in it, wow, can't tell you long distance. It was chambered in 32 Colt, 32 New Colt New Police/S&W 32 Long. If it is chambered in 32 Colt then you basically have a wall hanger, if in 32 S&W Long, ammo is still available. New Colt Police 32 and the 32 S&W long are more or less the same cartridge. Isn't it marked on the revolver? also it's hard to tell from the picture, but has the barrel been cut back ?

 

[Old Fuff]

As the previous gentleman noted, you have a Colt New Police revolver. Somebody sawed off the barrel, and in so doing ended any collector's value it might of had. The stocks look much better then the gun, and may be replacements. The original ones would be marked on the underside with the gun's serial number.

.32 Long (and Short) Colt chambers are bored straingt through. Those intended for the .32 Colt New Police/.32 S&W Long cartridges have a shoulder toward the front of the cylinder, in the same manner modern chambers do.

 

[dacsoft]

Thanks for the information. I don't really know anything about this gun - it was left to me when my father passed away.

This cylinder is straight bored, so I guess it takes the Colt .32. If I understood you correctly, ammo isn't available for this gun. Would it even be safe to shoot a gun this old? I have other guns, but am curious about this one.

Thanks again,

 

[Old Fuff]

.32 Short Colt and .32 Long Colt ammunition is out there. I found it offered at gun shows, and either Winchester or Remington may still list it (I haven't checked). If you found any I suspect it would be expensive, but it wouldn't hurt to have your dealer check and see.

It is impossible to tell what the revolver's internal condition is from a picture. You could have a gunsmith check it to see if the cylinder was still aligned with the barrel, and the lock-up was secure. If the gun was O.K. it would probably be safe too shoot as the .32 cartridges that fit in it are low powered to say the least.

But it lacks a front sight, and I doubt you could hit anything with it, short of point-blank range.

Somebody back when cut it down to make a belly gun, and to a degree that makes it interesting as a collectable - and it should be passed down through your family.

But this doesn't mean it's a good or accurate shooter.

 

[dacsoft]

Thanks for all the information. I intend to just use this pistol as a display item.