Couple of years ago, I found a Colt Pocket Positive in .32 SW Long and she carried it in her vehicle, shot it, really liked the little revolver. Unfortunately, in April we were traveling and the vehicle was burgled. They took the windshield mounted GPS and her little revolver. We were lucky that the burglars didn't look in the back seat, where more goodies (and more expensive goodies) were on the floorboards. Still, she mourned the loss of her revolver and I've been casting about for a replacement.
Yesterday I was passing through my favorite pawn shop and noticed a familiar profile in the case. A Colt Police Positive. I asked the counter-guy and he told me that it was a .32, more particularly, a .32-20 WCF, a cartridge with which I have no familiarity. But, I coon-fingered the revolver anyway. Blue steel with a tiny bit of surface wear near the muzzle, the little revolver looked pristine. I did a quick Jim March checkout and it passed with flying colors. In full lock the cylinder locked up tight as a bank vault. With the action relaxed, there was very little shake in the cylinder. The double-action pull stacked a bit toward the end of the travel, but broke cleanly. In single-action, the trigger seemed to break at about 4 lbs. It has the original grips, and the roll-marks are crisp and clean. The rampant colt on the left side plate is easily seen.
We dickered over the price and finally got down to $350.00, out the door. I asked for a 4473.
I brought it home and before she arrived, I took out the bore light. The bore is also pristine. Nice clean rifling, no pitting, with a silvery sheen. The forcing cone is immaculate. A quick check with the Colt online site shows that this particular revolver was made in 1928. How it survived all those years with as little wear as it exhibits is a mystery. All I can figure is that grand-dad shot it once or twice then put it away. After the old man passed, the heirs decided that they'd rather have the money than the revolver. Seriously, it looks as if it spent the last 50-60 (maybe 70?) years in a desk drawer.
When my lady got home, I had stuck the little gun in my waistband and she didn't notice it. We poured a drink and retired to the veranda to discuss our day. I started telling her about the gun and I could tell that she was interested. The more I talked about it, the more interested she got. Then, I took it out of my waistband and handed it to her. She nearly hyperventilated
Now, I've got to find some .32-20 handgun ammo so she can shoot it. Luckily, it fits the El Paso Saddlery holster that I bought her for her other .32.
