Colt Pocket Positive .32

[m1a1driver]

Picked this up from an old man for $200, what do these things go for? Based on the serial number it was made in 1912 making it exactly 100 years old. Timing and lockup are excellent, grips have small chips on corners but nothing too bad. nickel finish is spotted with light pitting. Chambered in .32 S&WL.
Think I did ok?

[FourTenJaeger]

Excellent!

[Mike A]

You did OK. If the bore and chambers are clean with no pits you did more than OK.

How is the caliber marked? If it is marked ".32 Colt" it is chambered for the .32 Long (and Short) Colt. If it is marked ".32 Police Ctg." or ".32 Colt New Police Ctg." it is for the .32 S&W Long (and .32 S&W). ".32 Colt New Police" was a flatpointed version of the S&W ctg. named to avoid mentioning S&W. Same ballistics. Neat little gun.

Can you believe that they once expected cops and security to go up against .44s and .45s and shotguns and, later, Thompsons with these peewees? Brave guys, if they did.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

In the days before antibiotics, one of these "peewees" was more than enough to kill you. And the .38 S&W, or the Colt version of it, were more popular as police cartridges. Though the NYPD issued these to their officers at the turn of the last century.

As for the gun, you didn't do too badly. As the other poster stated, if it is clean inside, you got a reasonably good deal. Watch gunbroker, and you may be able to find them a bit cheaper. But after shipping and receiving fees, any savings are likely a wash. Stick to loads from real reloading manuals, and you will have a great little plinker. Don't try to turn it into a .32 H&R. Truthfully, this is one of my favorite cartridges. It does a number on rabbits without ruining too much meat.

-Mb

[otteray]

I'd a bought it for more than you paid if I was looking for one. I haven't seen any vintage Colts in good condition for cheap up here around the central coast.
.32s are fun, btw.

[m1a1driver]

Bore has a small spot of light pitting but strong rifling and chambers are great. Internals look fine. Marked .32 police and came with a box of magtech .32 s&w longs.

[smle-man]

You did OK. If the bore and chambers are clean with no pits you did more than OK.

How is the caliber marked? If it is marked ".32 Colt" it is chambered for the .32 Long (and Short) Colt. If it is marked ".32 Police Ctg." or ".32 Colt New Police Ctg." it is for the .32 S&W Long (and .32 S&W). ".32 Colt New Police" was a flatpointed version of the S&W ctg. named to avoid mentioning S&W. Same ballistics. Neat little gun.

Can you believe that they once expected cops and security to go up against .44s and .45s and shotguns and, later, Thompsons with these peewees? Brave guys, if they did.

Police detectives and others were equipeed with snub nose revolvers frequently chambered in .32 Long well into the 50s. Bad guys must be tougher these days because a .32 or .38 was considered more than enough to deal with the thugs back then.

[gunboat]

yes, 32's and 38's were enough before the introduction of chemical laden perps. Nowadays a ma duece seems necessary.

[m1a1driver]

Shoots just fine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9uWqfYiTN4&feature=plcp

[morrcarr67]

Very nice. It's on my short list.