Old Colt revolver

zoostation · May 31, 2018

Okay I spent some time today going through Jim Tarr's book and comparing the description and serial # to known records. From what I can tell it is one of two guns, and I can't tell which. It wouldn't be the late 1880's gun with that serial number, that one's a Model 1878 which had a much more old-style frame somewhat cosmetically resembling a SAA. The two possibilities I think it is are below. Obviously it's been cut on, at least a little. Any more info on barrel markings, if visible, might help narrow it down.

New Pocket made in 1903

New Police .32 made in 1904

This is of course assuming the crane serial # is original.

Biggfoot44 · May 31, 2018

The two were substantially similar, with the New Pocket being round butt, and the New Police being square butt, as your's looks to be.

Now the question is .32 Long Colt or .32 New Police ( aka .32 S&W Long ) . From a distance they look the same , except one has .312 bullet, the other .300 . Buy or borrow a .32S&W Long ctg if you don't already have one . If it chambers, the gun is .32 New Police. If won't chamber , it's .32 Long Colt.

.32LC ammo was made at least into the 1980's by R-P . IIRC the brass is available , but loaded ammo not . The same ammo was used in Marlin leveractions, and British Rook Rifles in decent numbers ( known as .320Rook ) so components probably won't dry up soon .

Alea Jacta Est · May 31, 2018

I didn’t realize just how many Dick Traceys we have around here...

Mystery solved.

Biggfoot44 · May 31, 2018

Dick Tracey carried a Colt .357 ( yes, that is a model name) , later a Trooper .

***********

I learned about .32 Long Colt the hard way . Back in tbe late '80s had a friend pick me up a box of .32 Long on the way to a range session . Yup , it was R-P .32 Colt Long .

( Do as I say, not as I did back in the day ) Fired it in .32S&W Long chambers. Gave an underpowered pop , similar to factory loaded .32 S&W Long . Accuracy wasn't great . All cases bulged, some split .

In +/- 2000 fondled a Marlin ( M1891 iirc ) in .32 LC . By today's standards was a bargin , but was a little too much for me at the time.

boothdoc · May 31, 2018

I am currently smoking a cigar here at Lake Superior but will post more pics this weekend

Old Colt revolver

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

zoostation

, ,

Biggfoot44

Ultimate Member

Alea Jacta Est

Extinguished member

Biggfoot44

Ultimate Member

boothdoc

Ultimate Member

Attachments

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Latest threads

Forum statistics

Share this page