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Colt Police Positive .38 questions

DaveFDaveF Member Posts: 75 ✭✭
edited February 2016 in Ask the Experts
I just got a Colt Police Positive .38, Serial Number 367109.
I believe is a Second Issue as the top strap is serrated, and the last Patent date on the barrel is October, 1926.
Serial number is on the frame and only visible with the crane open, and there are unknown (to me) markings on the bottom of the grip frame.
[img][/img]ZHeBqPGm.jpg
Finish is only fair, lots of bluing loss but mechanically indexes properly and locks up tighter than a bank vault, and the bore is clean, with sharp rifling. Grips are replacement brown plastic (Franzite ??).
[img][/img]1izz8OXm.jpg
I slugged the bore, and it only measures 0.357", which is fine by me as I already reload for .38 Spl. And .357 Mag., but I expected a slightly bigger bore diameter as this is basically a .38 S&W cartridge.
Can anyone can tell me it's date of manufacture ??
Did Colt standardize a 0.357" bore after they introduced the Police Positive Special in .38 Spl to save on barrel manufacturing costs/equipment ??
I believe this is a D frame revolver, and the grips are tiny. I have fairly large hands, so am wondering if either of the current Pachmayr grips for Colt's Police Positive Special (Older Large frame 1940 - 1971, or Newer Small frame) would fit my revolver ??
Thanks in advance.

Comments

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    rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Proofhouse site, dates it to 1934.
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    peddlerpeddler Member Posts: 881 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I thank I will slug the barrel on mine and see what it measures.
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    Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,368 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are a lot of Colt .38 Special barrels at .354-.355" so a .357" for .38 Colt Police Positive (.38 S&W) is in proportion.

    Never saw the like of the symbols on the butt.
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    MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member, Moderator Posts: 9,972 ******
    edited November -1
    THE "there are unknown (to me) markings on the ".............LOOK TO BE SIAMESE. I'VE HAD SEVERAL SIAMESE MAUSERS
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    DaveFDaveF Member Posts: 75 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    THE "there are unknown (to me) markings on the ".............LOOK TO BE SIAMESE. I'VE HAD SEVERAL SIAMESE MAUSERS

    I'm in Canada, and who knows where this little revolver has been in it's apparently rough travels over the last 80+ years.
    I only paid $75.00 CDN (about $50.00 US) for it, so it makes a good cheap plinker for me.
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    nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,880 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think that it's "50" (with the 5 die broken) preceded by a company/department logo. Lots of prison & security guards, as well as LEO's, were issued guns with "rack" numbers.

    Neal
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