question on age of Colt police .38 special

[hdman93]

hey all I am new to this forum and hope that someone can shed some light on my questions. I have several old guns left me by my father, grandfather, and other members of my family. ok now to my question I have a Colt Police Positive .38 special, in either nickel or chrome.. the finish is really shiny as I would think chrome is, appears to be wooden grips with the Colt emblem as a metal inlay on the upper portion of the grips. I have what I think is the serial number found on the frame and also on the arm that hold the cylinder. that is 341xxx. I read on here while lurking that some people had loads of info can you help?? thanks in advance

 

[Guillermo]

1930

Proofhouse.com is great for that kind of research

 

[hdman93]

thanks, I will look there

 

[Old Fuff]

Be sure to look under Police Positive Special, not Police Positive. The later revolver was not chambered in .38 Special.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

the finish is really shiny as I would think chrome is

It would be nickel, unless someone refinished it in something else. Given the circumstances under which you acquired it, this is unlikely.

 

[hdman93]

thanks for the input but this poses another question..I look under Police Positive Special and it seems it could be 1928yr. model but if I look under Police Positive .38 the serial number would be made in 1930. Just curious what would be the right one?

 

[Old Fuff]

If your revolver is chambered in .38 Special, it must be a Police Positive Special. The Police Positive has a cylinder that's only 1.25" long, and this is shorter then the overall length of the .38 Special cartridge.

The Police Positive and Police Positive Special were each numbered in they're own serial number series, and one does not relate to the other.

 

[SaxonPig]

The model is stamped on the barrel. Colts are easy to ID.

The Police Positive was a very small revolver chambered in the .32 and the short .38 calibers. They had to enlarge the frame a bit and make the cylinder longer to accept the .38 Special and this model is properly called the Police Positive Special. About 99% of people drop the "Special" from the name when discussing these guns but the PP and PPS are actually two separate and different models.

 

[hdman93]

Thanks for all of your input on this, I knew the pistol was old since it had been handed down to me. I have fired it several times and it works just fine...