colt new police

oldgun/newlife · February 10, 2009, 10:17 PM

I have a colt new police serial number 51xxx. It is blue with a set of aftermarket checkered white plastic grips that read "franzite" on the madalion. There are no markings on the barrel at all. The only markings are the serial numbers and the colt new police logo on the side plate. I managed to determine that it was in .32 Smith & Wesson long. I got it on the cheap from a pawn shop because it needed work. I have since got it working, and fired a box of ammo through it, though it has a weak mainspring. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on where to find one(mabey one from a colt police positive?) or make one. I would also like to know when the gun was made, value, and any other information that might be avalible.

Sincerly,
oldgun/newlife

James K · February 11, 2009, 01:06 AM

That gun was made in 1907, according to Wilson. By the serial number, it should have the positive hammer block and the Positive barrel marking. The absence of any barrel marking may indicate a replacement barrel. Those guns were made for both .32 Colt (short and long) and for .32 S&W and .32 S&W Long, the latter being also called the .32Colt New Police.

Franzite (after the company owner, a man named Franz) was a the name of a maker of commercial after-market grips, as well as the name of the type of plastic used for them. Needless to say, the grips are not original.

I don't know if a mainspring from an old model PP or Dick Special will fit or not, but Gun Parts Corp. (www.gunpartscorp.com) has them and it might be worth $10 to try. Or haunt the gun show guys with those junk boxes of parts.

Value depends on condition. In new condition they bring around $700-800, but there are so many of those Colt DA's that the value drops to around $300 in about anything less than near new condtion and even less if worn, blue missing or non-original parts (including grips!).

You can get pretty good repro grips from North Carolina Ordance (www.gungrip.com) for around $25.

Jim

oldgun/newlife · February 16, 2009, 06:21 PM

Thanks for the info. I checked Numrich for a mainspring and they are out of stock. I also discovered that I need a new firing pin, which they are also out of. Any suggestion on where I might find one?

Sincerly,
Oldgun/Newlife

Dfariswheel · February 16, 2009, 09:05 PM

The very early Colt double action revolvers used a different mainspring.
These had a small stud on the side of the back end that fits into a hole in the frame.
A more modern spring may not work.

Other than Gun Parts Corporation, I don't know of anyone who carries parts for the actual New police model.
They were produced from 1896 to 1907 and parts supplies have long since dried up.

Since the Police Positive and Police Positive Special are essentially the same action, you can at least try parts from them.
The firing pin should be the same, and an early mainspring may work.

Here's some other "possible" parts suppliers. In all cases, you'd be smart to actually call to avoid confusion about the spring.
Note that if you specify New Police parts, you'll lose them right there. Ask for PP or PPS parts.

http://www.jackfirstgun.com/

http://www.gun-parts.com/index.html/

http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/index.htm

http://www.wisnersinc.com/pistols/COLTpistol.html

http://www.hoosiergunworks.com/

February 10, 2009, 10:17 PM	#1
oldgun/newlife Junior Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 2	colt new police I have a colt new police serial number 51xxx. It is blue with a set of aftermarket checkered white plastic grips that read "franzite" on the madalion. There are no markings on the barrel at all. The only markings are the serial numbers and the colt new police logo on the side plate. I managed to determine that it was in .32 Smith & Wesson long. I got it on the cheap from a pawn shop because it needed work. I have since got it working, and fired a box of ammo through it, though it has a weak mainspring. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on where to find one(mabey one from a colt police positive?) or make one. I would also like to know when the gun was made, value, and any other information that might be avalible. Sincerly, oldgun/newlife

February 11, 2009, 01:06 AM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	That gun was made in 1907, according to Wilson. By the serial number, it should have the positive hammer block and the Positive barrel marking. The absence of any barrel marking may indicate a replacement barrel. Those guns were made for both .32 Colt (short and long) and for .32 S&W and .32 S&W Long, the latter being also called the .32Colt New Police. Franzite (after the company owner, a man named Franz) was a the name of a maker of commercial after-market grips, as well as the name of the type of plastic used for them. Needless to say, the grips are not original. I don't know if a mainspring from an old model PP or Dick Special will fit or not, but Gun Parts Corp. (www.gunpartscorp.com) has them and it might be worth $10 to try. Or haunt the gun show guys with those junk boxes of parts. Value depends on condition. In new condition they bring around $700-800, but there are so many of those Colt DA's that the value drops to around $300 in about anything less than near new condtion and even less if worn, blue missing or non-original parts (including grips!). You can get pretty good repro grips from North Carolina Ordance (www.gungrip.com) for around $25. Jim Last edited by James K; February 11, 2009 at 01:13 AM.

February 16, 2009, 06:21 PM	#3
oldgun/newlife Junior Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 2	Thanks for the info. I checked Numrich for a mainspring and they are out of stock. I also discovered that I need a new firing pin, which they are also out of. Any suggestion on where I might find one? Sincerly, Oldgun/Newlife

February 16, 2009, 09:05 PM	#4
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,561	The very early Colt double action revolvers used a different mainspring. These had a small stud on the side of the back end that fits into a hole in the frame. A more modern spring may not work. Other than Gun Parts Corporation, I don't know of anyone who carries parts for the actual New police model. They were produced from 1896 to 1907 and parts supplies have long since dried up. Since the Police Positive and Police Positive Special are essentially the same action, you can at least try parts from them. The firing pin should be the same, and an early mainspring may work. Here's some other "possible" parts suppliers. In all cases, you'd be smart to actually call to avoid confusion about the spring. Note that if you specify New Police parts, you'll lose them right there. Ask for PP or PPS parts. http://www.jackfirstgun.com/ http://www.gun-parts.com/index.html/ http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/index.htm http://www.wisnersinc.com/pistols/COLTpistol.html http://www.hoosiergunworks.com/