Colt Pocket Positive

[jmm03]

Hello all,I am looking for price info on a Pocket positive in .32 Police. I have been to several different sites and have a fairly good idea but I was hoping someone here could assist me. It has a serial number that places it at the end of 1920,the last patent date is 1905.the grips are in perfect shape,no cracks or chips,lines are still sharp.There is a slight amount of holster wear on the end of the barrel and some very small areas of "freckling", the backstrap shows some wear,mostly turning brown,no pitting however.The barrel condition is perfect,the action is very tight, the present owner got it from her father around 50 years ago and she has never fired it.She is in a situation where she is not comfortable keeping it any longer and asked me to research it for her.I know a picture is worth a thousand,but it may be awhile before I can post some. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Jim McGuinness

[mike9905]

Well, I'm no expert but I know a little bit about these revolvers and no one else is speaking up. The patent dates peg it as a "First Issue", manufactured from 1905-27. The caliber, ".32 Police" is interchangable with .32 S&W Long; Colt didn't want to put its rivals name on their product. Probably the best way to price it is to check <gunbroker.com> and <gunsamerica.com>. I've already looked. There are six Pocket Positives on Gunbroker (mixed variants) prices starting at $250 up. No bids on any of them. Gunsamerica also has several, two of which have sold. One is for big money ($975) but it is new condition with box. The other sold for $195, which to me is low but is probably the way to price it unless your friend has a lot of patience. I own one of these; I bought it from my Aunt's estate about ten years ago for the appraised price of $165.

[Tuna]

Fair condition would be in the area of $225 and good condition would be about $375 retail and less for wholesale. Seems these do not move much in value as it's the same in two differnt books tens years apart. It's all about condition with these but there doesn't seem to be much in the way of demand.

[jmm03]

Mike and Tuna, thanks,I was beginning to wonder if anyone would respond,(it is sort of an odd duck) cool little pistol,although I wonder about the effectiveness of the .32.I looked at gunbroker and compared the pistols that were in the most similar condition,I forgot about gunsamerica. Appreciate your help,Jim

[mike9905]

"Cool little pistol". EXACTLY! If you are not looking for a fair price to pay your friend, maybe you could find an FFL who does the gun show curcuit. Someone holding this revolver in his hand is the most likely buyer.

[Dave in NGA]

It's funny how times have changed one's outlook on calibers. About fifty years ago the .32 and .38 were considered standard calibers for police work. Back then the 38 special was considered the 'big boy' for uniform carry. I remember police department forbidding their officers from carrying any caliber over 38 special believing it to be overkill. My daughter is a small gal and when she turned 16 I gave here a S&W 32 for a carry gun. It fits her just fine and she sleeps with it beside her bed. That was some years ago, now her carry gun has become a 'larger' caliber more in keeping with todays standards. I'm a fan of the 32 caliber guns for one simple reason. If you are going to be shooting fast and straight, it's much easier to do with a 32 than any of the larger calibers.