Need info on a Colt revolver

[Trainer]

I just aquired a Colt revolver that I need to get some information about.
Anything that you gentlemen could tell me would be helpful.

The revolver is marked Colt Pocket Positive, It is 32 long colt caliber, and it appears to be a miniature Colt Police Positive.

The gun is in pretty sad shape, but Ill post pictures as soon as I clean it up a little.

Thanks

 

[FPrice]

What do you need to know? If you will post the serial with the last three digits replaced by x's, I'll try to get a rough date of manufacture for you.

 

[Trainer]

sorry,
serial # appears to be 47xxx

thanks

 

[dfariswheel]

47XXX would be a late 1909 model.

The New Pocket/Pocket Positive was Colt's first swing-out cylinder, small framed revolver.
Production started in 1905 and ended in 1940.

The original model of this was the Colt New Pocket Model, made from 1893 until it became the Positive in 1905. The only real difference is, the Positive had Colt's new "Positive Lock" feature.

The guns were available in .32 Colt and .32 S&W.
Barrels were 2.5", 3.5", 5", and 6".
Finishes were blue or nickel.
Early grips were checkered hard "gutta percha" rubber with the oval Colt logo.

The Pocket Positive was the direct ancestor of the "D" frame Colt Detective Special/Police Positive although Colt didn't use the term "D Frame" until 1947.

Many people are surprised that Colt continued making the Pocket for so many years after the introduction of the Detective Special and Police Positive models.

 

[Trainer]

Thanks FPrice and DFarris, I appreciate the help.

 

[FPrice]

You are welcome although dfariswheel did all of the hard work.

 

[Trainer]

I have one more question,
The weapons seems to be in fair shape and the cylinder lockup seems solid but the cylinder will rotate freely (like the cylinder stop bolt is not engaging the cylinder sufficiently).

Is this normal?

This is not a shooter but a collector, I just want to know the guns condition.

Thanks again

 

[dfariswheel]

That's not normal.

Considering it's age and condition, it's not too surprising.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Have some brass in my collection

I have a few casings in my collection for interest value. If you would like to see what the ammo looks like I have an older camera but could take a pic of them next to a more common cartridge.

Paul Jones