colt police positive markings

malc · October 5, 2012, 05:56 PM

I have a Colt Police Positive that has A. E. B. & T. Co. stamped on the butt. I am sure it is an old security firearm. Can anyone tell me what company this was? The gun is supposed to have been built in the 20's.

Winchester_73 · October 5, 2012, 06:47 PM

Here is a verification of the SN ranges for Colt:

http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

As for your question, try posting on the Colt forum under revolvers. A lot of knowledge there. Post the SN with Xs for the last digits such as 325XXX. That will help in identification possibly of the marking if there is a well known contract SN range. Sounds like a neat piece. Pics?

**Mike Irwin** · October 6, 2012, 08:13 AM

That marking COULD (not definitely, but could) stand for American Express Bank & Trust.

AEB&T was chartered in 1930 after Chase National Bank (later Chase Manhattan) obtained most of the shares of the American Express Company.

But, it didn't last long, as Chase and the Equitable consolidated in December 1931...

Be interesting if it could be traced to that company. Very narrow window of operations for it.

October 5, 2012, 05:56 PM	#1
malc Junior Member Join Date: June 13, 2012 Posts: 5	colt police positive markings I have a Colt Police Positive that has A. E. B. & T. Co. stamped on the butt. I am sure it is an old security firearm. Can anyone tell me what company this was? The gun is supposed to have been built in the 20's.

October 5, 2012, 06:47 PM	#2
Winchester_73 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,863	Here is a verification of the SN ranges for Colt: http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html As for your question, try posting on the Colt forum under revolvers. A lot of knowledge there. Post the SN with Xs for the last digits such as 325XXX. That will help in identification possibly of the marking if there is a well known contract SN range. Sounds like a neat piece. Pics? __________________ Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west

October 6, 2012, 08:13 AM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	That marking COULD (not definitely, but could) stand for American Express Bank & Trust. AEB&T was chartered in 1930 after Chase National Bank (later Chase Manhattan) obtained most of the shares of the American Express Company. But, it didn't last long, as Chase and the Equitable consolidated in December 1931... Be interesting if it could be traced to that company. Very narrow window of operations for it. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.