Colt Police Positive - 38 short Colt
Gun Value, desirability:
I recently bought a Colt Police Positive, 2" barrel, nickel plated revolver. I thought the gun was a Colt Marshall because there was an "M" below the serial. But research reveals it takes a 38 short Colt bullet rather than a 38 S&W Spl. I'm concerned that I may have bought something I don't really want because of the ammo it takes.
The pistol is beautiful. It has a tapered 2" barrel, the nickel finish is excellent with no evidence of firing. I may not want the gun and am asking opinions of its value and desirability. I posted photos in an earlier message asking about a Colt Marshall.
Comments and advice is appreciated.
I recently bought a Colt Police Positive, 2" barrel, nickel plated revolver. I thought the gun was a Colt Marshall because there was an "M" below the serial. But research reveals it takes a 38 short Colt bullet rather than a 38 S&W Spl. I'm concerned that I may have bought something I don't really want because of the ammo it takes.
The pistol is beautiful. It has a tapered 2" barrel, the nickel finish is excellent with no evidence of firing. I may not want the gun and am asking opinions of its value and desirability. I posted photos in an earlier message asking about a Colt Marshall.
Comments and advice is appreciated.
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More then likely it's chambered for the .38 S & W cartridge. These guns were sold by Colt marked as .38 New Police, as they didn't want S & W's name on their guns.
From your description it probably has been reworked and nickel plated. This takes it out of the collector category. As a shooter revolvers chambered for .38 S & W are a hard sell, specially nowadays with the economy in the toilet. Hold on to it unless you absolutely have to sell it now. If you do find a buyer it likely would be in the $150-$250 range, as a shooter IMHO.0 -
A little more on the Colt. Photos reveal that this is a Colt Police Positive 38. The gun has a short cylinder which means it shoots the 38 short Colt. The serial is 1555xx and according to Proofhouse.com, it was manufactured in 1924. The half moon front sight, the double screw on the right side of frame (one almost on top of the other) and square butt confirm the identification.
But it is preplexing that there is no writing on the gun at all, nothing. The excellent nickel finish, and 2" tapered barrel only makes it rare.0 -
The writing could have been buffed off if it was nickle plated after mfg. If you could post photos on here, that would help a lot. 0 -
Colt quit making guns for .38 Short or Long Colt before WW I.
As best I can tell, your revolver is chambered for .38 Colt New Police -.38 Police Positive, which is the same as .38 S&W (NOT Special.) Try a .38 S&W and see if it will chamber, I think it will and will be better than .38 Short Colt.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Hawk Carse
Colt quit making guns for .38 Short or Long Colt before WW I.
As best I can tell, your revolver is chambered for .38 Colt New Police -.38 Police Positive, which is the same as .38 S&W (NOT Special.) Try a .38 S&W and see if it will chamber, I think it will and will be better than .38 Short Colt.
+1 Hawk is on the money. Realize that you have to be very careful with those older 38's. A true 38 short colt uses a .375 bullet. Although it will chamber in other guns, trying to shoot it in other 38's that have a .357 or a .360 bore can get you the nickname "Lefty" in a heartbeat. When in doubt at all, slug the barrel.0
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