my dad just bought a couple of guns off an old guy at his work. One of them is a Colt 38 Special. It has 3 patent dates inscribed on it the latest being July 4th 1905. It also says Police- 38 special on it and under the police it says positive. I wonder if anyone can tell me more about this gun and how much it might be worth?
colt 38 special question
- Thread starter Machete
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You should check over at the Colt forum with more information but your gun is a Colt Police Positive (a Special? it would be so marked if it was). Likely if a .38, it is NOT chambered for the .38 Special as the cylinder was lengthened on the later guns for the .38 Special (hence the name). Condition also determines value and you don't mention that either.
You apparently do have a Police Positive Special revolver. The patent dates on the barrel indicate it was made between 1905 and 1926 when a additional patent date was added. The barrel marking is a little confusing because the "Police Positive" part has one "P" for both "Police" and "Positive." and then ".38 Special." If the stocks are original to the gun they would be black hard-rubber between 1905 and (about) 1923, and checkered walnut thereafter. Finish should be blue or nickel plate. I would expect a barrel length between 4 to 6 inches, but other lengths were made on special order.
If you swing out the cylinder and look at the frame just under the back of the barrel you should see the serial number. Post this number, but use xx for the last two numbers. Thereafter we can tell you the exact year it was made.
The value depends on what condition it's in, and how original it is. You need to post a more detailed description before anyone can tell. A picture would be a big help.
1766xx is the serial number, I'll try and get pictures on tomarrow. I'd say it's in average shape. It has a little rust. From what my dad tells me it's been sitting under the register of an old gas station for most of the last century.
XavierBreath
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IBTOF! (in before the Old Fuff!)
YOU JUST WAIT...!
Ah is out to git ya' now. You'd better go hide under the bed...
YOU JUST WAIT...!
Ah is out to git ya' now. You'd better go hide under the bed...
here are pictures. The specs you see on the handle are overspray from gold spray paint, it comes off pretty easy I haven't cleaned it at all yet. Can I get a rough idea on the value?
XavierBreath
Member
Darn: Beat out by X-Breath again.....
The 6" barrel on this model is scarce, and the checkered walnut stocks are a plus too. I think that X-Breath's estimates are in the ballpark, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to sell it either. I have a 5", and it's easy to pack, but very accurate.
The 6" barrel on this model is scarce, and the checkered walnut stocks are a plus too. I think that X-Breath's estimates are in the ballpark, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to sell it either. I have a 5", and it's easy to pack, but very accurate.
Yes, that barrel marking is confusing. The PP was originally marked "Police Positive .38" but when it was upsized and chambered for the .38 Special, it was marked "Police Positive 38 Special" in such a way that the "Special" seems to apply to the gun and not to the cartridge. (It was also chambered for the .32-20, in which case the word "Special" came before the ".32 WCF", making it sort of clear that the word referred to the gun also.)
Anyway, FWIW, the word "Positive" refers to Colt's positive safety lock (hammer block) which was a big selling point since at that time S&W's hammer block was spring operated and not "positive". (That was the type that failed and led to the "positive" design S&W still uses.)
Jim
Anyway, FWIW, the word "Positive" refers to Colt's positive safety lock (hammer block) which was a big selling point since at that time S&W's hammer block was spring operated and not "positive". (That was the type that failed and led to the "positive" design S&W still uses.)
Jim
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