I think I bought a FrankenColt

[gungirl65]

I got caught up in the coolness factor of this cute little Colt and didn't thoroughly inspect it before buying it. I couldn't find the Colt I was looking for and this little gun enticed me.

It's a Colt police positive.

Although it was labeled as a 38 special, it is not a 38 special.

For demonstration purposes I put it next to my Smith so you can see that the chamber is shorter. I also tried to stick a 38 special bullet in it and the bullet was too big.

I asked the salesman as well as others at the table what caliber the gun was and they kept saying it was a 38 special. I pointed out that the chamber was smaller but no one had an explanation for it.

I sent pictures to a knowledgeable friend who pointed out that the barrel had been cut down. He also suggested that someone without proper tools has had it apart as well since one of the screws looked buggered up. Perhaps the grips are reproductions as well.

Then I noticed that it looked like someone may have tried to distort the serial number on the top of barrel. Although that could have been a sloppy cut job instead of intentional I guess.

My friend suggested I post the little Colt pics here so the knowledgeable folks at INGO could maybe shed some light on the little gun.

I guess the two most important questions I would have would be does it take 38 Colt / 38 Smith and Wesson bullets and is it safe to shoot if the barrel has been cut down?

I was kind of mad at the little gun for tricking me but the more I handled it the more I liked it. It's a solid little gun. If it's safe and I can find bullets I might be inclined to carry it.

 

[Mongo59]

The Police Positive is chambered in .38 S&W and a round they called .38 New Police. It was made from 1905-1947. So, being available during both wars it would be possible that the missing lanyard ring would be factory ordered.

But, imho, what you have there is a cut down Army Special Model, serial number range #291000-#540000 manufactured between 1908-1927, which would also fit into the last patent date on the barrel.

 

[drillsgt]

If it was 38 special it would say police positive special on the barrel, it's a standard 38 S&W.

 

[indyartisan]

Not an Army Special.
Look at the “heart” shape of the frame above the trigger guard of an Army Special.
I am curious about the
B.S. No. 66 stamped in the grip frame.

 

[Bigtanker]

If it was 38 special it would say police positive special on the barrel, it's a standard 38 S&W.

Is 38 S&W a heeled bullet and actually a .38 caliber vs a .357 caliber?

 

[IndyDave1776]

Is 38 S&W a heeled bullet and actually a .38 caliber vs a .357 caliber?

Google says:

 

[Leadeye]

38 Colt will be a heeled bullet, 38 S&W is not. The velocity of the cartridge isn't real high and your best accuracy will be with soft lead bullets.

The BS 66 stamp is likely a company/police department rack stamp which could increase the value of the gun. It's a 38 S&W chambered gun, I own one and it shoots quite well. It was a favorite model of Al Capone, so research out that stamp.

At one time the gun had a longer barrel that was probably shortened to it's present length.

Here's a picture for comparison, the Army special top, police positive center and the police positive special bottom. Big difference is length of the cylinder.

Your gun was made in 1935.

 

[IndyDave1776]

38 Colt will be a heeled bullet, 38 S&W is not. The velocity of the cartridge isn't real high and your best accuracy will be with soft lead bullets.

The BS 66 stamp is likely a company/police department rack stamp which could increase the value of the gun. It's a 38 S&W chambered gun, I own one and it shoots quite well. It was a favorite model of Al Capone, so research out that stamp.

At one time the gun had a longer barrel that was probably shortened to it's present length.

Here's a picture for comparison, the Army special top, police positive center and the police positive special bottom. Big difference is length of the cylinder.

While we are visiting the cylinder length, not only was the cylinder on the Colt Army longer, it was also straight bored so that you can drop a .357 in the chamber and blow the gun up in your face. Needless to say, this is not recommended.

 

[Leadeye]

For guns chambered in 38 Colt I've had good luck loading either the 38 LC or 38 special cases with HBWC bullets. The skirt engages the rifling with a charge of faster burning powder like 231. Some guns like the Colt Lightning I stick with BP but use the same technique.

The 38 S&W is one of those cartridges that made the jump from BP to smokeless so you need to be aware of the manufacture date. Gungirl's revolver is certainly good for modern ammo, but some of the old S&W top breaks need examination

 

[Colt556]

It looks like a Colt Police Positive in 38 S&W that has had the barrel cut down. Unless I’m missing it on my phone screen there doesn’t appear to be a front sight. 38 S&W ammunition is available but it’s an anemic cartridge for EDC, but it is better than carrying a stick. Depending on how much you really like it I’d be tempted to return/exchange it since it was misrepresented, either accidentally or on purpose, and probably not worth what you paid for it. I’m just speculating on that part though. It looks like a decent little gun to shoot and play with so it’s not all bad. Hope it works out for you.

 

[DadSmith]

Is 38 S&W a heeled bullet and actually a .38 caliber vs a .357 caliber?

Yep I own two old 38 S&W they do good with .360-.361 caliber bullets. My Enfield No 2 actually catches the bullet with its rifling at .358 but it isn't enough. Just barely enough to stabilize it. So I buy around 500 bullets at .360 caliber when I run out because I don't shoot them much. The other I posted a picture of awhile back an H&R chambered in 38S&W. Only a date stamped on it of 1917 and the maker and model that's it. Someone said they put the serial number on the grip and I would need to remove the grips to find it. Reason I posted about it couldn't find the serial number lol.

 

[Robert Richardson]

Hopefully you didn't pay much for it.

 

[drillsgt]

Ebay has decent 4 inch barrels starting at 40.00 if you want an original length barrel with front sight.

 

[sparkyfender]

Looks like somebody took a standard Colt and made themselves a pocket carry gun back in the day. Probably has a neat history that we will never know.

I would probably try to get a front sight on it if considering it for carry. I would also just keep it around for a conversation starter.