Author Topic: Colt PP Special (Read 742 times)

Hank08 · « **on:** July 10, 2012, 03:43:14 PM »

Just picked this one up, didn't really need another trail gun but couldn't resist this 24 oz. 32/20. The PP Special had a slightly larger frame and a longer cylinder than the regular PP. I had some ammo that was loaded ,for a rifle that i tried in it and it chronoed a 115 gr. bullet at 1350, wow! but didn't seem to faze it. I loaded some to 900 and that shot good and was easier on my middle finger. This gun has a 4" barrel, I tested several loads in it and in an Army Special with a 6" barrel and every time the 4" was 50 to 75 fps faster. Anyway I like it, thought I'd show it off. I'm guessing about 1925 or 30.

Hank08

drdougrx · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2012, 02:09:08 AM »

Thank-you for this! I don't beleive I've ever seen one!

jhm · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2012, 12:08:08 AM »

Nice old colt, and I like the 32-20 cal in the old revolvers. Thanks for sharing. Jim

Ladobe · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2012, 03:42:26 AM »

Very nice and a keeper Hank. An excellent revolver shooting an excellent cartridge that is a lot of fun to hunt with. Last patent date, the top strap and original grips pont to which issue, but I can do better as I also have a by year serial number range for them if you want to know exactly which issue and year yours is. Mine was another one of those I should have kept.

Pulled from my data base: I bought a 5" in mint conditon at LaPortes Auction in Monterey, CA in 1973 for $98 (#3272XX, first issue circa early 1926). Sold it to a CO dealer in same condition at a Golden Spike Gun Show in 1982 for $350.

Hank08 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2012, 04:58:56 AM »

Yes, Ladobe, I'd love to have that info. I read in Bluebook that the Special was made from 1904 to 1943. My # is 404xx, quite a bit lower than yours. Last patent date July4, 1905, Thanks, Hank

1911crazy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2012, 05:31:01 AM »

Thats a colt police positive special nice. I started out recently collecting the older 22cal revolvers and got into the 38's too. I have one S&W combat masterpiece 4'' barrel so far. I need the S&W K38 target master piece 6" barrel and the colt p/p 38 specials 4'' & 6'' next. For some reason i gots the 38 bug now. I'm happy i'm not alone. These aren't cheap in some cases i see them up to $800 for prestine condition and a more rare one. Some can be around $300 too.
I went nuts on the 22cal guns for the new grandson to shoot someday. The 38 is the wifes gun next after the 22's then she will get an auto or a 357mag. She needs to get passed the bigger bang noise next. My 41mag rocked her noise wise.

Ladobe · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2012, 07:42:47 AM »

Quote from: Hank08 on July 21, 2012, 04:58:56 AM

Yes, Ladobe, I'd love to have that info. I read in Bluebook that the Special was made from 1904 to 1943. My # is 404xx, quite a bit lower than yours. Last patent date July4, 1905, Thanks, Hank

Well, from my data base (that I made up from several sources many years ago)... they were actually made continuously from 1908-1978 through four issues (IOW model changes), with another short release of the fourth issue in 1994-1995. Serial number 1 was made sometime in 1908. Production was small during the war years (WWI & WWII), but 2-3000 were still made each of those years. However only the first two issues were available in 32-20WCF (and 32NP, 38NP & 38SPL) between 1908-1946, the rest were all 38SPL only (the foruth issue also with a shrouded ejector rod and available in nickle finish).

Your's is a first issue, will have the 1905 patent date on the barrel and a smooth top strap, orignally it would have had rubber grips, and was made in 1911 (probably late in the first quarter). Makes it 101 years old now, so it is a survivor. I don't know about you but I'd sure like hear the stories of it's life if it could tell them.

BTW, while mine was a late first issue that would have also originally had rubber grips, it actually had late second issue checked walnut grips (early 2nd were smooth walnut). Didn't hurt the value one bit though when I sold it, even to that serious Colt collector from CO who I know knew the difference (and was a source that added even more to my data base on them).

Hope that info gives you even more pride in it - it sure would if it was mine (hint

).

Larry

Hank08 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2012, 10:34:49 AM »

Thank you very much, Ladobe, much earlier than I thought. I'm sure it could tell some tales even though it's been taken very good care of. The blue is exc. except right at the muzzle and the trigger and top and back of the hammer have that bright blue heat blue that you don't see anymore. The grips were probably added later but they also look very old, I like stag. Shoots great, bores perfect. I have an Army Special 6", also in 32/20 with the hard rubber grips that looks exactly like this one except larger. It was made in the 20s, I think. Thanks again, H08