Got my Grandfather's Colt .38 Police Positive

M

Maddnotez

New member
Got my Grandfather's Colt .38 Police Positive (pics and serial# added)

Just got this over the weekend. Haven't got to shoot it yet but I'm glad I got it.

Not mint, looks like a bit of wear and/or rust or some kind of corrosion but hopefully I can clean that up. Any tips on that or info in the gun would be appreciated.

I've been reading up a bit on these guns and I like the history behind them.

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Looks real nice!

The fact that it was also your grandfather's makes it special also.

My favorite firearms have some sort of history behind them.
 
Not sure how to do that.

I read FAQ and it says to click the arrow next to the attachment.

Didn't see an arrow.

This site isn't very noob friendly I'll admit. Very painful to quote someone or apparently to get a picture to show.

I'll read into it more but maybe posting from an iphone has something to do with it?
 
The problem appears to be taking pictures from a phone and in poor light. A phone can take pretty good pictures if there is a good rest (not hand held) and in good light or with the flash.

I am not sure, but that looks like the old PP made for the short .38 Colt or .38 Colt New Police (aka .38 S&W). Only if the barrel has the word "Special" is it made for .38 Special.

Jim
 
Agreed, it is a Police Positive. Caliber most likely .38 Police Positive/New Police = .38 S&W.

A detailed description of all markings and the serial number would help us discuss it.
 
It looks pretty good, whatever direction the photo gives.

Clean and oil it, check it over carefully, you should be good to go. There is no safety on older revolvers except the one on top of your neck, so don't load it until you get to the range.

Don't use any polish or grit on it to remove the rust just yet, later on, you can take it to a smith and discuss it. Might want to reblue it, the sentimental value exceeds the collector value by a great deal.

Your grandkids will be shooting it many years down the road. They won't be doing that with a Glock.
 
The Police Positive was made in the 38 Colt New Police (also known as 38 S&W). The Police Positive Special was made slightly longer to hold the 38 Special cartridge. Should say which on the barrel.

The short 38 is hard to find and pricey. If you load your own ammo no big deal. If you rely on store bought it's a problem.
 
The pictures are not too clear and I couldn't be sure of the cylinder length; just looked too short for the PPS.

Jim
 
I bought a revolver about a year ago that had been neglected and was probably in worse shape than the one you have. I disassembled it as much as I felt comfortable with and sprayed it down with CLP. Every couple of days I would take a soft shop towel wipe everything down good and apply another coat. I did this for about a month and was very happy with the result. No more visable evidence of rust and some staining that was in the blueing is still there but you have to look closely to see it. There may be better stuff out there but CLP was what I had and CLP was what I used.

Hope this helps.
James
 
Yes it is the Police Positive that takes the .38 S&W and NOT .38 special.

I'm at work now but later tonight I'll post the serial #.

Bringing to a gunsmith is probably a good idea, thanks.
 
Might want to reblue it, the sentimental value exceeds the collector value by a great deal.
Click to expand...

NO, NO, A THOUSAND TIMES NO.

That gun is not far gone enough to warrant a reblue which will virtually destroy any value it has.

Just keep applying a good grade of oil and wipe it down. Application of oil will stop any further rust and will soften the existing rust so that it may eventually be wiped off. Absolutely NO abrasives of any kind.

If you really want to dissolve the rust, go to your local tree-hugger health food store and get a small bottle of "100% pure, natural wintergreen oil." (Not the stuff they sell in Walgreen's.) Wintergreen oil is a super penetrant and rust dissolver.
 
The serial # looks to read 108669 but it's hard to read with my eyes the 66 are very close together, almost overlapping.

According to Colt website it might have been made in 1919.

There is a T under the # which I believe to be a stamp from an inspector.

I will try to get better pics of everything but my phone wouldn't focus on the serial # and all I have is my phone cam.

Makes me want to go find some old antique firearms lol.

Also, my apologies with the pictures. As you can see I figured out how to add them. I'm sure I can get them all in one post as well in the future :)

Obviously I'm new here but I'm used to forums that do the dirty work for you.
 
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