Can you identify this Colt?

JACKAL0PE · August 4, 2011, 11:53 AM

It's a "Police Positive .38"

Any information ... or information on how to get more information would be greatly appreciated.

Jack

James K · August 4, 2011, 12:56 PM

The Colt .38 Police Positive was introduced in 1905. Over 200,000 were made before it was discontinued during WWII. The serial number would indicate the date of manufacture, but I can't read it in the blurry photo. The grips (if original) indicate production between 1909 and 1923. It is chambered for the .38 Colt New Police, which is identical to the .38 S&W (NOT .38 Special). Modern .38 S&W cartridges can be safely fired in that gun if it is otherwise in good condition. The term "positive" when applied to a Colt revolver indicates it has Colt's "positive" hammer block safety that does not depend on spring action.

Value, as best I can judge condition, would be around $200-250.

NOTE: ".38 Smith & Wesson" or ".38 S&W" is the name of the cartridge, and does not indicate the make of the gun itself.

Jim

DG45 · August 4, 2011, 09:32 PM

The 38 S&W was used in a lot of old snubbie guns, and caught a lot of flak for being anemic, and a poor penetrator, which was in part caused by a bad marriage of bullet to gun. It's not ever going to be a .357, but a 6" barrel is certainly going to help.

JACKAL0PE · August 5, 2011, 03:58 AM

Oh, I don't really want it for personal protection. My Grandfather retired from the Sparta, Georgia Police Department. When he was uniformed, this was his service piece. It's a lot more sentimental than useful.

But I would like to go out and shoot it a bit, so the ammo information helps. The Gun Store guy said I needed Remington Colt .38 ammunition that they only make a few times a year at a cost of $38 per box.

JACKAL0PE · August 5, 2011, 08:30 AM

James, the number in that blurry photo is 108880.

Does that help?

Thanks again,

Jack

Hardcase · August 5, 2011, 09:04 AM

According to Proofhouse.com, it was made in 1919. As far as ammo goes, look around the Internet for .38 S&W. It's not a common caliber anymore, but it is readily available online. Able's (www.ableammo.com) has Winchester 38 S&W in stock.

.38 Colt is the same round, but with a flat-nosed bullet. I don't know if anyone sells the caliber with that name, but it'll work just fine, too. Same with ".38 S&W Corto", which is what Fiocchi sells.

JACKAL0PE · August 5, 2011, 11:28 AM

Outstanding. Thanks so much guys for all the info.

Just one more question. This damn thing is almost 100 years old. It looks to be in good shape, but is it really safe to fire? I'm thinking metal fatigue and all that. Not really very knowledgeable about firearms so I thought I'd ask.

Is this the ammo I need?

WINCHESTER AMMUNITION SUPER-X CENTERFIRE PISTOL AMMO

Winchester 38 S&W 145 Grain Lead Round Nose

Offers a unique combination of power, precision, reliable functioning, and on target performance. Delivers optimum penetration and rapid energy release with virtually no weight loss or bullet fragmentation.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: X38SWP
Category: AMMO CENTERFIRE
Caliber :38 S&W
Bullet Type :Lead Round Nose
Bullet Weight :145 GR
Muzzle Energy :150 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity :685 fps
Rounds/box :50 Rounds Per Box, 10 Boxes Per Case

UPC: 020892201224

Shipping Weight: 1.56

Chris_B · August 5, 2011, 05:14 PM

This is a revolver I would not mind owning myself!

Jim Watson · August 5, 2011, 05:27 PM

The Gunstore Guy and Hardcase are calling for the wrong ammo.

You need .38 S&W which Colt called .38 New Police and .38 Police Positive so as to not put the competition's name on their guns. The .38 Short and Long Colt cartridges are entirely different and were dropped by Colt some years earlier.

The catalog listing in your last post is the right stuff.

JACKAL0PE · August 5, 2011, 05:41 PM

Sorry Chris. Like I said earlier, the sentimental value of that gun far exceeds what I could get for it. But if I ever get ready to sell, I'll shoot you a PM.

JACKAL0PE · August 5, 2011, 05:43 PM

Quote:

The Gunstore Guy and Hardcase are calling for the wrong ammo.

You need .38 S&W which Colt called .38 New Police and .38 Police Positive so as to not put the competition's name on their guns. The .38 Short and Long Colt cartridges are entirely different and were dropped by Colt some years earlier.

The catalog listing in your last post is the right stuff.

Thanks Jim. I'll order me a box today. I really appreciate all the help.

Jack

Chris_B · August 5, 2011, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Sorry Chris. Like I said earlier, the sentimental value of that gun far exceeds what I could get for it. But if I ever get ready to sell, I'll shoot you a PM.

I wouldn't dream of taking it away from you if you paid me to; it belongs in your family. But that surely is a handsome piece

JACKAL0PE · August 5, 2011, 09:51 PM

Well thank you.

It's just the piece my grandfather carried. I've got his police badges to go with it and the S&W Sumbbie he carried when he was promoted to detective. I plan on making a shawdow box for them.

August 4, 2011, 11:53 AM	#1
JACKAL0PE Junior Member Join Date: August 3, 2011 Posts: 14	Can you identify this Colt? It's a "Police Positive .38" Any information ... or information on how to get more information would be greatly appreciated. Jack

August 4, 2011, 12:56 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The Colt .38 Police Positive was introduced in 1905. Over 200,000 were made before it was discontinued during WWII. The serial number would indicate the date of manufacture, but I can't read it in the blurry photo. The grips (if original) indicate production between 1909 and 1923. It is chambered for the .38 Colt New Police, which is identical to the .38 S&W (NOT .38 Special). Modern .38 S&W cartridges can be safely fired in that gun if it is otherwise in good condition. The term "positive" when applied to a Colt revolver indicates it has Colt's "positive" hammer block safety that does not depend on spring action. Value, as best I can judge condition, would be around $200-250. NOTE: ".38 Smith & Wesson" or ".38 S&W" is the name of the cartridge, and does not indicate the make of the gun itself. Jim

August 4, 2011, 09:32 PM	#3
DG45 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Posts: 904	The 38 S&W was used in a lot of old snubbie guns, and caught a lot of flak for being anemic, and a poor penetrator, which was in part caused by a bad marriage of bullet to gun. It's not ever going to be a .357, but a 6" barrel is certainly going to help.

August 5, 2011, 03:58 AM	#4
JACKAL0PE Junior Member Join Date: August 3, 2011 Posts: 14	Oh, I don't really want it for personal protection. My Grandfather retired from the Sparta, Georgia Police Department. When he was uniformed, this was his service piece. It's a lot more sentimental than useful. But I would like to go out and shoot it a bit, so the ammo information helps. The Gun Store guy said I needed Remington Colt .38 ammunition that they only make a few times a year at a cost of $38 per box.

August 5, 2011, 08:30 AM	#5
JACKAL0PE Junior Member Join Date: August 3, 2011 Posts: 14	James, the number in that blurry photo is 108880. Does that help? Thanks again, Jack

August 5, 2011, 09:04 AM	#6
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	According to Proofhouse.com, it was made in 1919. As far as ammo goes, look around the Internet for .38 S&W. It's not a common caliber anymore, but it is readily available online. Able's (www.ableammo.com) has Winchester 38 S&W in stock. .38 Colt is the same round, but with a flat-nosed bullet. I don't know if anyone sells the caliber with that name, but it'll work just fine, too. Same with ".38 S&W Corto", which is what Fiocchi sells.

August 5, 2011, 11:28 AM	#7
JACKAL0PE Junior Member Join Date: August 3, 2011 Posts: 14	Outstanding. Thanks so much guys for all the info. Just one more question. This damn thing is almost 100 years old. It looks to be in good shape, but is it really safe to fire? I'm thinking metal fatigue and all that. Not really very knowledgeable about firearms so I thought I'd ask. Is this the ammo I need? WINCHESTER AMMUNITION SUPER-X CENTERFIRE PISTOL AMMO Winchester 38 S&W 145 Grain Lead Round Nose Offers a unique combination of power, precision, reliable functioning, and on target performance. Delivers optimum penetration and rapid energy release with virtually no weight loss or bullet fragmentation. SPECIFICATIONS: Mfg Item Num: X38SWP Category: AMMO CENTERFIRE Caliber :38 S&W Bullet Type :Lead Round Nose Bullet Weight :145 GR Muzzle Energy :150 ft lbs Muzzle Velocity :685 fps Rounds/box :50 Rounds Per Box, 10 Boxes Per Case UPC: 020892201224 Shipping Weight: 1.56

August 5, 2011, 05:14 PM	#8
Chris_B Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Posts: 3,101	This is a revolver I would not mind owning myself!

August 5, 2011, 05:27 PM	#9
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,612	The Gunstore Guy and Hardcase are calling for the wrong ammo. You need .38 S&W which Colt called .38 New Police and .38 Police Positive so as to not put the competition's name on their guns. The .38 Short and Long Colt cartridges are entirely different and were dropped by Colt some years earlier. The catalog listing in your last post is the right stuff.

August 5, 2011, 05:41 PM	#10
JACKAL0PE Junior Member Join Date: August 3, 2011 Posts: 14	Sorry Chris. Like I said earlier, the sentimental value of that gun far exceeds what I could get for it. But if I ever get ready to sell, I'll shoot you a PM.

August 5, 2011, 09:51 PM	#13
JACKAL0PE Junior Member Join Date: August 3, 2011 Posts: 14	Well thank you. It's just the piece my grandfather carried. I've got his police badges to go with it and the S&W Sumbbie he carried when he was promoted to detective. I plan on making a shawdow box for them.