That's the animal, I guess if you're a colt collector this is one that you must have. I'm amazed at the quality, it's like a timepiece the way it's fitted. These are some very hearty pistols to be sure. Still cleaning mine as I want to get much better pictures before I send it in to colt for the letter.
old colt 38 special. pre-PP or DS??
- Thread starter Gator007
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oneounceload
member
This was my dad's off duty gun, so I know he didn't fire it much in the 40 years he had it, but I do not know if he bought it new or used; if it IS from the late 1920's, that would be interesting to find out some more - let me know what Colt tells you about yours
Colt Police Positive and Banker Special.
Cylinder length = 1.250"
Chambered in .32 Colt New Police or .32 Police Positive (Identical to .32 S&W Long. or .38 New Police/.38 Police Positive (Identical to .38 S&W).
Colt Police Positive Special and Detective Special
Cylinder length = Longer, about 1.375
Chambered in .38 Special and .32-20 (.32 WCF)
Following World War Two the Police Positive and Banker Special were discontinued. The Police Positive and Detective Special remained in production with .32 Colt New Police and .38 Colt New Police added to the list of available chambering. The .32-20 was dropped.
When you inquire for an historical letter from Colt and the barrel isn't clearly marked (a bad sign) then include the cylinder length. A clear, focused photograph is always a good idea. You may not know what you have, but they will.
Cylinder length = 1.250"
Chambered in .32 Colt New Police or .32 Police Positive (Identical to .32 S&W Long. or .38 New Police/.38 Police Positive (Identical to .38 S&W).
Colt Police Positive Special and Detective Special
Cylinder length = Longer, about 1.375
Chambered in .38 Special and .32-20 (.32 WCF)
Following World War Two the Police Positive and Banker Special were discontinued. The Police Positive and Detective Special remained in production with .32 Colt New Police and .38 Colt New Police added to the list of available chambering. The .32-20 was dropped.
When you inquire for an historical letter from Colt and the barrel isn't clearly marked (a bad sign) then include the cylinder length. A clear, focused photograph is always a good idea. You may not know what you have, but they will.
That's my plan, to send them a good picture. I'm in the beginning of what looks like will be a long cleaning session with this thing. I didn't realize just how dirty it was until I started to clean it up. I'm amazed at how it's starting to look. Much of what I thought was wear is powder res and dirt,oil.
oneounceload
member
What was it that made him so sure?
I believe that most of the original hand-written shipping records are now in the CT. State Library’s Colt collection in Hartford. Therefore it follows that in-house researchers are working with computers. He may have pulled up that serial number and looked, but they will say nothing until they have money in hand to pay for the research, writing a letter, etc.
What is really important here is what the original barrel length was, and I’m betting between 4 and 6 inches. Collectors, and would-be ones, should remember that if one has a Police Positive Special in the right serial number range, and happens on a Detective Special marked barrel made during the same time period (1927 – 1941) a quick barrel change and shorting the ejector rod can equal a quick (but probably illegal) profit.
Also during WW-2 Colt made a whole lot of Detective Special's using Square-butt Police Positive Special frames left over from pre-war production. Check the serial number!
Another one to look out for is the Official Police/Commando model with a 2” barrel because following WW-2 Colt sold a lot of left over barrels. A factory letter equals critically important proof for those revolvers that are genuine.
What is really important here is what the original barrel length was, and I’m betting between 4 and 6 inches. Collectors, and would-be ones, should remember that if one has a Police Positive Special in the right serial number range, and happens on a Detective Special marked barrel made during the same time period (1927 – 1941) a quick barrel change and shorting the ejector rod can equal a quick (but probably illegal) profit.
Also during WW-2 Colt made a whole lot of Detective Special's using Square-butt Police Positive Special frames left over from pre-war production. Check the serial number!
Another one to look out for is the Official Police/Commando model with a 2” barrel because following WW-2 Colt sold a lot of left over barrels. A factory letter equals critically important proof for those revolvers that are genuine.
I can only go by what he said, he was definitely looking at the serial number on a computer. Yet I could tell he wasn't looking at the records of the specific pistol because he could not give me the barrel length or finish? He assured me all of the info as to what they shipped under that serial number would be in the letter. From what I can tell if it were to letter as a PPS with a 2" barrel it would have to be special order.. I can hope, right! , lol. I'll definitely come back to the forum when I get the letter, hope it doesn't really take 100 days.
Yet I could tell he wasn't looking at the records of the specific pistol because he could not give me the barrel length or finish?[/QUOTE/
Not necessarily. Remember, Colt doesn't give this information away, they sell it. Given the long wait for a letter it's obvious that this service is in high demand and people are willing to pay for it.
Anyway I hope it works out for you.
Ok, with the letter in hand I find this is a police positive special with a factory 2" barrel shipped in1926 to one Alexander kagen in reading Pennsylvania. The only thing I can find on him is that he was a jeweler and was involved in a store called the Penn St sporting emporium in reading!
Just letting you know this lettered as a police positive special shipped in1926.. with a factory 2" barrel
oneounceload
member
Guess I need to do that as well
Again, how much does that letter cost?
Thanks!
Again, how much does that letter cost?
Thanks!
Lucky Derby
Member
Thats sweet. Congrats.
bannockburn
Member
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- Apr 24, 2007
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- 26,312
Gator007
Good to see you got your factory letter. Never ceases to amaze that they can find this information from so long ago. Interesting piece of history to go with your gun.
Good to see you got your factory letter. Never ceases to amaze that they can find this information from so long ago. Interesting piece of history to go with your gun.
Jim Watson
Member
Neat that you were able to confirm it as an unusual variant.
Too bad it got plated along the way, that reduces the resale value by a lot; but as Jim K says, that was a common thing.
Too bad it got plated along the way, that reduces the resale value by a lot; but as Jim K says, that was a common thing.
Yes the plating certainly hurts. From what I know about the pistol I would guess it was done when the gun was new. I know it was definitely prior to ww2. The pistol is amazing in the fact that it's as tight and smooth as any revolver you can buy new today.
Vodoun da Vinci
Member
Beautiful piece....congrats on owning it.
My Mother in Law has her husbands Colt DS in her drawer and asked me to clean/oil it last time down to The Farm. Folks who have not handled those revolvers will never know what fine art some of these old revolvers were. Nothing like it being made today, that's for certain.
VooDoo
My Mother in Law has her husbands Colt DS in her drawer and asked me to clean/oil it last time down to The Farm. Folks who have not handled those revolvers will never know what fine art some of these old revolvers were. Nothing like it being made today, that's for certain.
VooDoo
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