Just picked up a Colt Police Positive Special

[Comrade Mike]

Ended up being about 200 dollars with shipping. 200 dollars for ANY gun these days is a steal, but to get a Colt from the days of craftsmanship and hand fitting can't be beat.

So the bad. It's an old cop's side arm. Description suggests it is in fine mechanical condition with a nice bore. But the side plate had initials and a number (badge number or maybe case number) electropenciled into the side of it and then ground off when the officer retired or when the case was over Id imagine.

I know a gunsmith who does great refinishing work. So if I can come out with a nice shooter colt, I won't complain! Have a look and let me know what you think!!


http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=448711727

 

[damienph]

Colt Police Positive

If it was mine, I would dab a little cold blue on the spots where the electro-pencil and the grinder was used and shoot it as is. Find a replacement end for the ejector rod. Filing the sideplate down to get rid of the damage will also obliterate the "prancing pony" Colt logo.

The finish on mine is much worse than yours but since it was my grandfather's I will leave the wear and tear that he put on it.

Mine was made in the '20s it is not marked "Police Positive Special" but just "Police Positive", it is chambered in .38 Special, however.

 

[GRIZ22]

I'd say your gun was not a cop's carry gun. The overall condition and electro pencil indicate its most likely a gun that spent some time on the street and wound up being seized as evidence. When the case was over it was sold by the police department and now wound up in your hands.

You'd have to remove a bit of metal to get those markings off. A bead blast would still not hide it. I'd just shoot it as is.

 

[ivankerley]

man i love those grips, i believe maybe Driftwood Johnson has posted something similar in the past, just love the detail in the grips
nice looking revolver too! Congrats
Gene

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

$200 is certainly not bad for an old Colt today. You need to find a knob for the end of the ejector rod. I would worry more about that than refinishing it. I would probably just touch up the shiny part with some cold blue. An old war horse like that is really not worth refinishing.

I forget how much I paid for this one, I bought it back in the 1970s. I think it is of 1960s vintage, don't really remember right now.




I like the old hard rubber grips too, like on this little 32 Police Positive. Looks like I need to look up some Serial Numbers and write down when these were made.



I have always assumed this Model 10-5 was a police gun. The number 64 is hand stamped on the frame, and I have always assumed it was a police armorer's inventory number. Wouldn't dream of polishing it away, it adds character.

 

[Panzerschwein]

^ I agree.

OP, I would clean that old Colt up and make sure it's in good mechanical condition, but as for aesthetics the stuff you mentioned adds character to the guns history and I wouldn't change anything about it.

 

[Comrade Mike]

I'll probably just clean up the old grind marks. I wouldn't do a total refinish. Should be here by the end of the week! I'll be sure to keep everyone updated.

 

[threefeathers]

I would clean it up and refurbish. The more of these old revolvers we save the more our progeny will appreciate it.

 

[kBob]

So how hard is it to get an out of time Police Positive (Just flat locks up in DA) back to humming?

Big regret that I did not buy a nickeled .32 that had been squashed for parts long ago.

-kBob

 

[Lucky Derby]

I would get an end for the ejector rod and carry it. Always thought the 4" Police Positive Special was about the best .38 to carry. Full 6 rounds, not as big as a M10, and a 4" barrel for better shootablity and velocity than a snubby.

 

[olafhardtB]

spark plug

Years ago I swapped a Rossi 3" 38 special for a really beat up 6" Colt PP in 32 new police. It was missing 2 side plate screws, the grips were smashed, no finish and they ejector knob was missing. Some body told me I could take the connector nut off of a spark plug and screw it on the rod. It sorta fit and some good glue kept it there. I got some faux ivory grips, 0000 steel wool sand paper, some Brownells Oxypho and sterling silver earrings with ponies. I named the gun "spark plug". It became a really treasured gun.

 

[Waveski]

Mike - You did just fine. A functional Colt for less than $200 - what's to not like?

Regarding the 'Broker listing - the seller certainly strained reality by saying that the gun was "unmolested". What do you call taking a grinder to it , TLC?

Nonetheless , you have a great shooter at a good price.

 

[BSA1]

So how hard is it to get an out of time Police Positive (Just flat locks up in DA) back to humming?

Frank Glenn fixed my wife's P.P.S. His address is;

Frank Glenn
Accuracy Unlimited
11012 N. 32nd Street
Phoenix , AZ 85028

Very fair prices and quick turnaround.

 

[19-3Ben]

Regarding the 'Broker listing - the seller certainly strained reality by saying that the gun was "unmolested".

My thinking exactly. I was about to say that if this gun is his idea of "unmolested" what else has he not disclosed, or what kind of game is he playing. Then I saw he has an A+ rating and 1086 reviews, so he's established a good enough track record that I would buy comfortably if I were the OP.

 

[Comrade Mike]

Paid for and the FFL shipped out today. Hopefully I can give you some hands on input by early next week.

I can't wait to give this old pony some TLC and a diet of light 125 Gn cast bullet loads. It may have had a rough past but it's got an easy pampered future ahead of it.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

Shoot, I paid like 350 for mine... Mines in really nice condition, with aftermarket fuaz ivory grips... I like mine a lot. Its really accurate. Under 200 is def. a great price. My police + locks up tighter than any other wheel gun Ive got.

 

[evan price]

I've bought a number of guns from Levs. In general go by the pic not the description. They are more our less honest, at least as far as pawn shops go.
I declined to bid on this one because I already have several similar Colts in this condition. Levs is a half hour from me so I do local pickup!
Enjoy the Colt.