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Colt Police Positive- .32 Police Ctg.

R2STUDES
I recently acquired a Colt Police Positive Revolver in .32 Police Ctg. (4" barrel, SN/2172XX, circa 1926, in very good condition)- Please forgive me, but I am not familiar with this cartridge - I have one live round marked "U.M.C. .32 L.C.F." - a round-nose lead, which seems to chamber with no difficulty & one live round marked "R.P 32 SH COLT", also a round-nose lead, but shorter. Could someone please advise what is the exact cartridge designation for this revolver & what ammunition would be available to safely fire in it. Thank you.
R2STUDES/Gary
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  • rufe-snow
    It's a very confusing situation, ammo wise with your revolver. Colt chambered them for (2) different .32 Caliber cartridges that weren't interchangeable.

    1), .32 S & W Long

    2), .32 Long Colt

    Although it MIGHT be chambered for the Colt cartridge, the S & W was way more popular, so Colt sold the revolvers marked, ".32 Colt New Police", so they wouldn't have to put Smith & Wesson's name on their revolvers.

    Check the diameter of the charge holes in the cylinder. If they are .320 or less it's chambered for the .32 Long Colt. If .340 or less it's .32 S & W Long.

    luger_4.jpg
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  • heavyiron
    R2STUDES,

    I believe what you have there is a pistol that fires the .32 Smith and Wesson Long cartridge.

    The Police Positive was made in calibers .32 Colt, .32 New Police (S&W Long with flat lead bullet), .38 New Police, or .38 S&W.

    If the barrel of the pistol is marked .32 New Police, the cartridge you want is .32 S&W Long. But if the barrel is marked .32 Long Colt, the cartridge you want is the .32 Long Colt. It will also fire the .32 Short Colt, but the .32 S&W Long and .32 Long Colt are not interchangeable.

    To add to the confusion, the .32 S&W Long was also known as the .32 Colt New Police which again is not the same cartridge as the .32 Long Colt.

    I would not trust the cartrides that came with the pistol to identify the correct caliber!

    The gun should be marked. If the barrel actually says .32 Police Ctg. you have the .32 S&W Long (aka .32 Colt New Police) with a flat point bullet.

    Regards,

    HEAVY
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