Police Positive in .38 Special, made in 1928

[Trooper Joe]

Found this old (1928) Police Positive in .38 Special today. Looks like it has sat in a dresser draw for the last 69 years. (Photo a little washed out from the light reflection.)





(Different angle)





Dealer thought this was a .38 Long Colt or something until I pointed out this marking on the barrel.








This is really nice. Don't know if I will have enough nerve to actually shoot it.


(Guess my new "Cobra" will have to wait.)


Trooper Joe

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[Certaindeaf]

I'd check my dresser drawers more often.

 

[ikemay]

Really does look like it sat in a drawer this whole time doesn't it? Doesn't even look like it has a turn/drag line around the cylinder. Very nice find, congratulations.

 

[Larrytpdx]

Wow. Very, very nice! Would you mind telling us what you paid for this gem? Lots of inquiring minds on this Forum you know!

 

[Trooper Joe]

I wasn't going to mention that but, I got it for $400 plus tax. I almost kissed the dealer. I even asked him if he was sure.

He was.

Trooper Joe

 

[ma96782]

Nice. Yes, I also checked my dresser drawers. You made me look. LOL.

Aloha, Mark

 

[Alexx1401]

I would do some checking before you even start playing with it. That may very well have some collector interest. One may be willing to pay you more than you paid for it to have it in such pristine condition.

 

[nammac]

I would do some checking before you even start playing with it. That may very well have some collector interest. One may be willing to pay you more than you paid for it to have it in such pristine condition.

This is a great point. Not often that 89 year old pistols are found is such pristine condition... If it's the original finish, that's a candidate to be a safe Queen... Or King...

 

[orygun]

I used to have one of these that was nearly as nice. These are very well made and are great shooters. Just not my style. I traded it for a gun that my nephew was to use when we went hunting.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Great looking revolver!
If it were mine , I'd shoot it.
I'd also try to find a vintage style holster to go along with it.

I know that use and shooting will have it lose collector value ... But I don't feel that much value will be lost if you also maintain the gun properly.
Plus "value" to me , means all aspects of owning a gun , to include shooting it...
If applicable ... I do own some antique guns that I won't shoot , because of historic value , extreme wood or metal fatigue etc ...

All in all you have a fine revolver ... enjoy as you see fit.
Andy
Edit for my lousy spelling...

 

[etrain16]

Great find! Cool revolver. If it were me, I'd be tempted to shoot it, at least maybe just a little.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Great looking revolver!
If it were mine , I'd shoot it.
I'd also try to find a vintage style holster to go along with it.

I know that use and shooting will have it lose collector value ... But I don't fell that much value will be lost if you also maintain the gun properly.
Plus "value" to me , means all aspects of owning a gun , to include shooting it...
If applicable ... I do own some antique guns that I won't shoot , because of historic value , extreme wood or metal fatigue etc ...

All in all you have a fine revolver ... enjoy as you see fit.
Andy

Yeabut Andy! He could probably sell it and have enough money to buy an AR! come on

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Yeabut then he'd have a plastic wonder rifle and not a super cool wood and steel revolver....
And we all know plastic is a passing fad ... it will never catch on.
( Just kidding )
Andy

Yeabut Andy! He could probably sell it and have enough money to buy an AR! come on

 

[etrain16]

Yeabut then he'd have a plastic wonder rifle and not a super cool wood and steel revolver....
And we all know plastic is a passing fad ... it will never catch on.
( Just kidding )
Andy

That does make me wonder, 100, 200 years from now, will people look back on guns like the AR and see them as we see those beautiful works of art made from steel, wood, bronze, etc.? Will there be gatherings of AR history enthusiasts, dressing in 21st century clothing while they relive the good old days?

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I think that the AR series of rifles has already hit "cult" status ...so in its case , I'd say yes.
Andy

 

[Certaindeaf]

Like kinda has been alluded to, I'd shoot it too. A lot. A lot of people "buy" a girl (no slight to that Colt) for $2-5,000 a night (God bless 'em).. or put a billion on red.. and lose. whatever.
The differential of you tossing that thing in a ditch is $400 and then there's the using it and selling it and tossing in a ditch.. and everything in between. Let's call it $200 in the air.
Me, since I was a teenager, I use and abuse Belgian Hi-Power's.. that's my thing. whatever
I think I might be in the hole a positive wad.. thought that's not my goal.

 

[ikemay]

I only get one's I will shoot, not even necessarily a lot ..... but not something I simply could not bring myself to shoot. I'm not wealthy enough to own something simply to look at and handle once in awhile.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I only get one's I will shoot, not even necessarily a lot ..... but not something I simply could not bring myself to shoot. I'm not wealthy enough to own something simply to look at and handle once in awhile.

What do you shoot? Do you keep your hipoint in a sock?
And I don't think $400 is "wealthy".

 

[ikemay]

What do you shoot? Do you keep your hipoint in a sock?
And I don't think $400 is "wealthy".

I was not disparaging Trooper Joe or anyone else. My point was that I buy to shoot not collect. In a poorly worded, round about way I was hoping to encourage Trooper Joe to go shoot it and enjoy it.

My apologies for not being more clear.

 

[Crohnos01]

I checked my dresser drawers after reading this thread.... All I found was that I have more socks with holes in them than not...