32 Colt Police Positive

[rintinglen]

ChuckO, If you are sure on the serial number, (61500-66999) it sounds like someone either rebuilt that gun, or a left over New Police frame was built later by Colt as a new Police Positive. If it were in fact a New Police revolver as marked on the frame, it would have been made in 32 Long or short Colt. The cylinder throats should read .320, in fact, you should be able to load a 32 Colt Long Cartridge into either end of the cylinder--the charge hole was simply a .320 straight hole bored end to end. The gun probably was rebarreled and a new cylinder installed at a later date when the difficulty of obtaining ammunition became burdensome. The 1926 patent date suggests this. Also, I have only seen the B 32 marking on guns made in the 30's.

[Burnt Fingers]

Here's one. I was given this revolver today.

Colt serial number lookup suggests it's a Colt New Police .32 made in 1904. Serial number 228XX. Sadly it's spent the last 80 years in a gun case and the barrel is heavily rusted on the side where the roll print is.

I'm guessing there's no easy way to tell what it's chambered in. I did get some ammo with it. I'll have to try and read the head stamp.





I polished up a couple of rounds, got them in a strong light and it's RP 32 SH Colt. I'm guessing that's .32 Short Colt.