Colt Police Positive Special 32-20 W.C.F.

[guitarcrzy21]

I just recently bought a colt that my friend had and he said he had no clue when it was made or how much it was worth. Figured a forum was the way to go.

The Revolver is a Colt Police Positive Special 32-20 W.C.F. Serial number is 220508. It is in basically mint condition besides so minor holster wear on the front sight blade and some minor spotting on the bluing over the entire weapon. Anyone with any information on this weapon, i would appreciate any info i could get.

 

[Harve Curry]

That serial number production year is 1920, in my little booklet by R.L.Wilson. With out seeing it somewhere around $250 to $300.

 

[guitarcrzy21]

ok thanks for the insight

 

[Dr.Rob]

That's pretty lowball. Sight unseen if it's mechanically sound and the bluing is 80% or more you are looking at $500+ based on comparables i've seen online.

 

[Old Fuff]

Police Positive Special revolvers are neat little guns, but neither collectors or shooters seem particularly interested in them - especially in .32-20. I would say that Harve Curry was close to reality.

As a check on what they really sell for, go to www.armsbid.com

They are a popular auction house, and you will find the results of past, but recent auctions posted with the selling (not asking) prices. Use the search term Police Positive Special.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

How does the Colt Army Special in 32-20 compare to the Police Positive Special?

 

[Old Fuff]

How does the Colt Army Special in 32-20 compare to the Police Positive Special?

In size, value or what?

The Army Special was an earlier version of the better known Official Police. It was larger and heavier then the Police Positive Special.

The A.S./O.P. was based on Colt's .41 sized frame, that became the basis for the Python. The P.P.S. was made on a smaller .38 size frame, the best known example being the Detective Special.

So far as values go, with all other things being equal the Army Special usually brings a bit more money, say 25 to 100 dollars depending on condition. A truly perfect Army Special might bring $500 to $800 at auction if a collector seriously wanted it. Shooters generally ignore them - although if you have one with a good bore they make excellent shooters in the longer 5 to 6 inch barrel lengths.

 

[tripppin]

police positive special 32-20 WCF

I have had this gun for some time and was curious as to it's age and value. The info I can get off of it is a police positive special 32-20 WCF serial # 218241. It also has a thick US leather holster.Any info would be appreciated.

 

[Old Fuff]

You caan track Colt serial numbers at: www.proofhouse.com

Anyway, to answer your question, a Colt Police Positive Special with a serial number in the 218,2xx range would have been made during 1920. Value depends on its condition, but probably between $200 - $350.

Uncle Sam did buy some Police Positive Special revolvers, but in .38 Special, not .32-20.

 

[Firebird]

I recently inhereted a Colt Police Positive Special 32-20 W.C.F. Serial 257xxx with the intial "R" engraved below the serial. The website says model 1922.

Would all police positive specials, regardless of caliber, follow the same serial format regarding year of production? (Would the .32's and .38's be mixed in together?)

This gun belonged to someone in my family who was an insurance salesman from the early '30's - late '50's. I guess they were armed then, for whatever reason?

This gun is in near perfect condition, in my unexperienced opinion. I'm not really interested in selling it, but from what I've read it's value is between 300-550?

Also, would firing this (not in excess) reduce it's value?

Reads:

COLT'S P.T.F. A.MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT U.S.A.
PAT'D AUG. 5, 1884 JUNE 5, 1900 JULY 4, 1905

POLICE SPECIAL 32-20 W.C.F.
OSITIVE

 

[StrawHat]

Firebird

I recently inhereted a Colt Police Positive Special 32-20 W.C.F. Serial 257xxx with the intial "R" engraved below the serial. The website says model 1922.

Would all police positive specials, regardless of caliber, follow the same serial format regarding year of production? (Would the .32's and .38's be mixed in together?)

I am not a Colt collector but I believe all the cartridges of the model were serialed together.

This gun belonged to someone in my family who was an insurance salesman from the early '30's - late '50's. I guess they were armed then, for whatever reason?

Some went armed because they collected the premiums, in cash, from their customers. Often on a weekly basis.

This gun is in near perfect condition, in my unexperienced opinion. I'm not really interested in selling it, but from what I've read it's value is between 300-550?

Not my niche so your research is better than anything I can offer.

Also, would firing this (not in excess) reduce it's value?

Reasonable amounts of firing will not harm any revolver of that era. Clean it after you shoot it.

Your photo is quite large and takes a while for the folks with dial up to load it. Many of the photo sites allow you to down size the photo to make it easier to view and load quicker.

 

[Firebird]

How would you reccomend cleaning it?

 

[shooterfromtexas]

what is difference between 32-20 wcf and 32 long colt?

 

[rcmodel]

Winchester introduced the 32-20 Winchester Center fire for use in the Model 1873 lever-action rifle.

The 32-20 WCF is a bottle-neck case capable of over 2,000 FPS with 85 - 110 grain bullets in a rifle.
In a handgun, it good for close to 1,000 FPS.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.32-20_Winchester


.32 LC is an old black-power cartridge with a straight case that pushed an 82 grain bullet at 790 FPS.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.32_Long_Colt

rc

 

[Boocoo]

Colt Police Positive Special .32-20 WCF

Your gun looks mint and if the bore is the same the gun is worth easy 900. In that model the 4" will demand a more,

 

[Firebird]

Your gun looks mint and if the bore is the same the gun is worth easy 900. In that model the 4" will demand a more,

The bore seems just fine. I can see the rifling as clear as day down the barrel.

It is a 4" but you are the first source saying 900+.

 

[W.E.G.]

Firebird, you might want to reduce the size of that pic, and see if you can find one that is better focus.

 

[MartinS]

Looks pretty new. Like the ones you get with your time machines.