Colt Firearms Collector

Checkered hard rubber grips with the fleur de lis pattern were used through 1923.  In 1924 checkered wood grips were used for the first time.

The Colt 'Police Positive Special; was produced from late 1907 to 1927.  In 1927 the designation was 'Detective Special'.  It came as an iteration of the Colt Police Positive. The only design differences are that the Special had a strengthened frame and lengthened cylinder to make space for the more potent .38 Special cartridge. 

The .38 cal. with a 2 in. barrel is a rare version made just prior to the introduction of the Detective in 1928.  Checkered wood grips appeared in 1924.

There were 5 issues:

The First issue of the Police Positive ran from the revolver's introduction in 1907 until 1927. Sporting Colt's standard hard rubber grips, it was offered with barrel lengths of 2.5 (available only in .32 caliber), 4, 5, and 6 inches, and was chambered for the .32 Long Colt (it would also accept the .32 Short Colt), .32 Colt New Police, and .38 Colt New Police cartridges. Checkered Walnut grips became standard after 1923.

The Second issue began in 1928 and ran until 1947, adding a somewhat heavier frame as well as a serrated top-strap to reduce sight glare, while retaining the wooden grips.  Both of Colt's ?New Police? rounds were actually slight redesigns of existing S&W cartridges, the .32 S&W Long and .38 S&W with the bullet noses flattened, as Colt resisted providing its main competitor with any free advertising.

The barrels were stamped Police positive .38 Special when the .38 Special cartridge was used.

1922 Colt Catalog

1928 Catalog

1928 Catalog

 

1928 Police Positive Detective Special

 

1933 Catalog

.38 caliber

1933 catalog

.38 Special caliber

.38 Special caliber