Police Positive in 32 S&W Question

smith17

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I've been offered the following revolver in trade from a new friend but I possess no knowledge of Colts beside what I have gleaned from past Gunbroker sales on this type of gun.

Colt Police Positive with 32 Police Ctg on left side of the blued, 4" barrel. Probably 90% original blue left with decent wood stocks. Fixed sights, Square butt; ser. 386xxx which I think puts it at around 1939. Function seems good; no rust or pitting; cylinder turns the wrong way:).

Guy says he gave $460 for it but I can't seem to find anything approaching that value, more like $300-350. I don't need it and would most likely put it on a table in a year or so to sell it.
Any value opinions appreciated. Thanks.
Ed
 
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Sounds a bit high to me. These small Colts haven't been as popular with collectors as the bigger revolvers and prices (at least around here) are still fairly reasonable. I have seen some really nice ones sell in the $350 range, higher priced ones generally don't sell. Might be different down your way but I wouldn't put that much in one myself.
 
thanks desi. That's about what I had cyphered out after several hours of looking at past sales.
 
I messed up on the caliber of this one. Apparently, .32 Police Ctg is the same as .32 S&W Long. It may be worth a bit more than I thought.
 
I messed up on the caliber of this one. Apparently, .32 Police Ctg is the same as .32 S&W Long. It may be worth a bit more than I thought.

Just as the .38 S&W Special was known as the .38 Colt Special when factory loaded with a flat-point bullet instead of round-nosed, the .32 S&W Long becomes the .32 Colt New Police when loaded with a flat-point bullet.

.32 S&W and .32 S&W Long are not the same cartridge. The Colt equivalent of the .32 S&W is .32 Short Colt. There is also a .32 Long Colt. These are all different cartridges.

For some reason you are much more likely to find .32 Colt New Police head-stamped ammunition than you are to find any marked .38 Colt Special.
 

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