32 Police Positive

[mec]

I have this (picture) police positive serial number 382xxx. The number is much higher than the revolvers ran according to established records however it appears that some later 32s shared the serial number range of those chambered in 38 s&w . The R.L. Wilson chart which appears in a number of places is a bit confusing on that matter. The barrel is marked Police above Positive both words sharing the sameupper case P then 32 Police ctg.
If it is numbered in the same range as the 38, it was made in 1937-38.
Can anybody verify or add to this?

 

[gyvel]

Your gun, did, in fact share a sn range with the .38. And, yes, it was made in 1938.

 

[James K]

.32 [Colt] Police cartridge, aka .32 Colt New Police, is the same as .32 S&W Long. Colt just was not about to put "S&W" on their guns, so they invented a "new" cartridge.

Jim

 

[BillCA]

That's a fine specimen too. These .32's were built on the .38 frame and with the lower pressure .32, will last 3 days short of forever. They're accurate, mild shooting guns too. Just the ticket to introduce someone to centerfire handguns.

 

[RJay]

Off the subject, mec, I like your stag handle barlow, is that a Bear? I have a Stag J.A. Henckels barlow about the same size.