I recently inherited this pistol and I'm interested in its history and value. The markings on the 6" barrel say Colt Police Positive - .32 Police CTG. It is nickel plated with abalone (pearl?) grips. The rear sights are adjustable. The serial number is 252158, the letter V is stamped beneath it. Any input is much appreciated.
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Old .32C Colt Police Positive
- Thread starter bobm1945
- Start date
Dfariswheel
New member
252158 was made in 1933.
The Police Positive .32 numbers started that year at 252100, and ended at 252399 by the end of the year.
The letter "V" is an inspectors mark.
The Colt Police Positive Target Second Issue was made from 1926 to 1941.
It's frame and cylinder were slightly shorter than the Police Positive Special, which was made to handle longer cartridges.
The shorter Police Positive was typically chambered in lower powered cartridges like the .22LR, and the short .32 and .38 caliber cartridges like the .32 and .38 S&W.
Colt made slightly longer versions as the .32 and .38 Colt Police, or New Police.
The Target model should have a finely checkered trigger and back strap.
Although the standard finish was blue, Colt would supply nickel finishes, along with mother of pearl grips on order.
On value, a Colt Police Positive Target in .32 caliber would normally run around $600 to $650 in 90% condition due to the more rare .32 caliber in the Target model.
However, a factory nickel finish with factory pearl grips would likely be worth a fair bit more.
In your case, I think spending the $75 to $100 would be money well spent for a Colt Factory Historical Letter.
Colt will research your revolver, and issue you a factory letter detailing everything they know about the gun.
This would include when it was shipped, who it was shipped to, caliber, barrel length, and any special features like the nickel finish and pearl grips.
To get details on ordering the letter, check the Colt web site for instructions:
http://www.coltsmfg.com
A nickel plated, pearl gripped Colt Police Positive Target in .32 would have collector interest.
The Police Positive .32 numbers started that year at 252100, and ended at 252399 by the end of the year.
The letter "V" is an inspectors mark.
The Colt Police Positive Target Second Issue was made from 1926 to 1941.
It's frame and cylinder were slightly shorter than the Police Positive Special, which was made to handle longer cartridges.
The shorter Police Positive was typically chambered in lower powered cartridges like the .22LR, and the short .32 and .38 caliber cartridges like the .32 and .38 S&W.
Colt made slightly longer versions as the .32 and .38 Colt Police, or New Police.
The Target model should have a finely checkered trigger and back strap.
Although the standard finish was blue, Colt would supply nickel finishes, along with mother of pearl grips on order.
On value, a Colt Police Positive Target in .32 caliber would normally run around $600 to $650 in 90% condition due to the more rare .32 caliber in the Target model.
However, a factory nickel finish with factory pearl grips would likely be worth a fair bit more.
In your case, I think spending the $75 to $100 would be money well spent for a Colt Factory Historical Letter.
Colt will research your revolver, and issue you a factory letter detailing everything they know about the gun.
This would include when it was shipped, who it was shipped to, caliber, barrel length, and any special features like the nickel finish and pearl grips.
To get details on ordering the letter, check the Colt web site for instructions:
http://www.coltsmfg.com
A nickel plated, pearl gripped Colt Police Positive Target in .32 would have collector interest.
Thanks so much for your speedy reply Dfariswheel. This relvolver is in near perfect condition. The nickel plating is a little dull around the muzzle and there is a small chip missing from just forward of the trigger guard. Otherwise it's as clean as a whistle. This is remarkable given the history told to me by my uncle from whom I inherited it. He was an army intelligence officer in the Phillipines during WWII. This pistol was deliverd to him one night by a Phillipino guerilla along with the head of the Japanese officer who had taken it as a souvenier of battle. As you can imagine, I cherish it, and I have no idea of selling it. I just wanted to know something of its background. Rest assured that I'll contact Colt to learn more. Perhaps I'll find out who was carrying it in the Phillipines when its owner was captured or killed. Maybe I'll even be able to locate his survivors and complete the circle. Wouldn't that be a grand thing?!
Thanks again,
Bob McCarthy
Thanks again,
Bob McCarthy