Colt Police Positive Special First Issue .38 Special Revolver, 5 Inch Barrel, 1916 Production
This 1916 Colt Police Positive Special is a First Issue revolver with the pre-1928 configuration collectors look for, including the smooth topstrap and checkered black hard-rubber grips with molded COLT logo. It features a 5-inch barrel, fixed sights, and the Colt Positive Lock safety in a DA/SA steel D-frame. Proofed with the VP triangle on the trigger guard and marked with the Rampant Colt and Colt address rollmarks, it represents an early, well-documented example of the Special variant.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Details: The revolver shows major signs of wear with visible finish loss and areas of rust. The rifling exhibits noticeable wear.
What’s Included
- Colt Police Positive Special First Issue revolver
As a First Issue Police Positive Special, this revolver uses the lengthened D-frame and cylinder designed to accommodate .38 Special. This distinguishes it from the standard Police Positive, which Colt literature notes is not .38 Special and has a 1 1/4 inch cylinder.
The 5-inch barrel and fixed sights provide a classic sight picture, pairing a half-moon front blade with a topstrap rear notch. The exposed hammer with checkered spur supports both double-action and single-action operation, and the Colt Positive Lock internal hammer-block safety enhances safe handling.
Original period features include the smooth topstrap, checkered black hard-rubber grips with molded COLT logo, the Rampant Colt on the left side of the frame, and Colt address/patent barrel rollmarks. The ejector rod has a knurled tip and remains unshrouded, consistent with early production.
Construction is all steel for the frame, receiver, and cylinder. The left front of the trigger guard bears the VP triangle proof. Capacity is six rounds. The serial range aligns with 1916 production in the United States.