Questions about an old Colt Police Positive

[ezypikns]

I just purchased a beautiful old Police Positive in .38 special. I've got a couple of questions for any Colt revolver experts. The revolver is stamped with the following: serial no. 301176, also either a "C" or a "G". I believe it's a "G". Last patent date stamped on the barrel is "July 4, 1905".
The other thing I'd like to know is how to measure the barrel length. I know it's longer than 4". I believe it's 5" but I'm not exactly sure.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Majic]

First if it's a .38 spl then it's a Police Positive Special not a Police Positive. To measure a barrel measure from the end of the muzzle to the end of the forcing cone (just in front of the cylinder). That serial number puts it as a 1924 model.

 

[thatguy]

Actually, you measure from the face of the cylinder to the nuzzle. The difference is only .003-.008" in most cases but it's easier to lay the ruler on the cylinder face than to try to guess when it's even with the forcing cone.

It looks like a 5" barrel to me.

 

[ribbonstone]

Good gun in nice shape.

Don't let patent dates decieve you...unless they made a change that they considered needed a patent, they just keep stamping the same dates/numbers.

Was a very popular pistol in it's day, pre-WWII there was a pretty heated competition between S&W and Colt for the police market (hard to believe today, but it was neck-and-neck during the 1920's and 30's). Back then, guns had names rather than numbers, and Colt tended to put names with police associations on their guns...Official Police, Officers model, Police Positive, Trooper, Detective Special, etc.

 

[ribbonstone]

Stuttered

 

[carpettbaggerr]

http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html