I don't know where to look for an answer to my question, so hoping someone here is knowledgeable on Colts. I was at a small gun show over the weekend and a friend bought, I think, a pre war Police Positive. It was stamped on the left side of the frame Interarms Alexandria Va. I did a search on the internet and found 2 other Police Positives marked the same but no explanation as to why. I don't belong to any Colt forums and own only 1 Colt, but I am sure some of you guys are Colt savvy and may know the answer.

Thanks,
Tom

I suspect the gun was sold out of country and then reimported. Interarms was a big firearms importer that handled large lots originating in other countries.

The guys at the Colt forum are very welcoming and very well informed. Go ahead and sign up, introduce yourself, and ask the question. Somebody there may already know about armament contracts with foreign police services dating to this gun's era.

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David Wilson

Many US-made guns have been sold to foreign police and military agencies. International, Century, and other dealers have made a business of buying them as surplus and reimporting them for decades.

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Pisgah

Back in the early '80s IIRC, Interarms bought a huge contract of all sorts of firearms from the Mexican government. They were the result of that entity buying and or confiscating all of the firearms from their citizens so that they would forever be free of the dangers of "gun violence." This program has worked so well that one never hears of any shootings or murders of any kind in Placid, Peaceful Mexico, right? I toured the warehouse at Alexandria as they were clearing out some of the last of this purchase and there was still some pretty exotic stuff there. At the time I was interested in pre-War High Standards and there were a bunch that could not be sold in this country due to the vagaries of GCA '68, so their gunsmith and I spent two days disassembling those guns so the parts could be sold as "parts kits" and the frames turned in for destruction. I can't help but wonder whether your Colt came in with those(?)

Froggie

What is your actual question: just who imported it, or which ammo to use, etc.

Photos? I can probably answer your questions, maybe give a ballpark time of manufacture. For more detailed manufacture dates, the Colt Forum mentioned is probaby your best bet.

Are you sure it's a Police Positive, not a Police Positive Special, which has a longer frame and takes the .38 Special load? The Police Positive has a short frame and takes .38 S&W REGULAR or 38 Colt New Police ammo.

Some were sold overseas in .38 S&W caliber, but built on the Special frame after the Positive was discontinued. Photos will be most helpful, along with any other markings on the gun. Foreign proofmarks, if present, are a clue to where it went.

I see this post was moved, sorry I really didn't know where to post it, but hopefully those of you who where kind enough to answer will follow this to the lounge. My interest in this Colt is simple curiosity. Just wanted to know how a Colt got an Interarms stamp. There seems to be no foreign proof marks on it, which I thought there would be on a "reimported" firearm. I am just trying to educate myself to satisfy my curiosity. I did not buy the Colt, rather a friend did and he has placed it on Gunbroker already as is his wont. He has an FFL and C&R Lic. and buys and sells. Anyway the auction number is 277195872 if anyone wants to see some pictures.

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge,
Tom

Interarms was located at 10 Prince St, Alexandria, VA. This is what the building looks like now:

Attached Images

10 Prince ST Alex VA Interarms.jpg (62.6 KB, 31 views)

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Gunsmithing since 1961

I had a Colt Police Positive once. Never again. Banged my middle finger real hard even with target loads. Don't know about your friends gun but suspect it's a re import. Wish him luck.

My colt police positive is a 32-20, It's a niffty little gun that my wife packs when we are out in the woods.

I think you must have a Police Positive SPECIAL. Read the barrel. What does it say?

Or, post a photo.