Charter Arms Serial Number Dates
Thanks, Bob.I checked that link but my Colt model was not among those listed. I'll keep looking.In the meantime, somebody told me that my revolver is not a Police Positive Special. Instead it's a Police Positive chambered in.38 special. I wasn't even aware they were different! Anyway, I'll still like to nail down the year of manufacture.
Serial number is348xxx. The lettering on the barrel is 'Police' on one line and 'Positive' on the second line. They share the same large first letter ('P'). About mid-way between those lines is a small dash. Following the dash is '.38 Special'. One source just informed me that two lines of lettering indicates Police Positive. If the lettering were all on the same line, it would be Police Positive Special.Anyhow, thanks.JeffP.S.
As a kid I entered Idaho. Don't recall exactly which part, but I think it was a sliver which was inside Yellowstone nat'l park. Of course, that was 1957 and a few years have passed my memory cells. Jeff7,1928.And don't let anyone confuse you with that one/two line crap. There are Police Positives which are chambered in.32 and.38 Colt New Police, basically identical to.32 S&W Long and.38 S&W. Crack camworks 2014. Then there are the Police Positive Specials which are chambered in.38 Special and.32-20. The distinction between the PP and PP Special is the longer frame of the PP Special that accommodates the longer cartridges.
It's a Colt Police Positive Special (.38 spl.) with 4' barrel, fixed sights, blued steel, and wood grips. Serial number is 348xxx. There's a 'T' above that number and a 'z' below it, but I don't think they're part of the serial number. Browning Hi Power Dates of Manufacture. Below is the key to FN dates of manufacture via the serial numbers. Per 'Browning Dates of Manufacture', 1988, Brownsboro. For example, a Hi Power made in 1973 would have a serial number starting '73C' and so forth. (Sincere thanks to Hi Power fan.
I cannot recall ever seeing either a PP or PP Special marked other than two lines with a single large P beginning the Police/ositive serving for both words.Think about it a bit, wouldn't it sound a little silly, not to mention long, if the PP Special in.38 Special was marked Police Positive Special.38 Special instead of just Police Positive.38 Special? The.32-20 guns are marked Police Positive Special.32-20. Thanks, CB Hunter. That DOES help my understanding.
And I already know that this revolver handles the longer.38 special cartridges. Because I've shot several through it.I don't know a whole lot about revolvers, but I know more about S&W revolvers than Colts. This is my only Colt, but I have 1 Taurus, 1 Charter Arms, and 4 S&W - all revolvers.Anyway, thanks for the info on the manufacture year. I appreciate it.JeffP.S. I also have an old Winchester Model 36 shotgun in 9 mm rimfire. It was my grandfather's.
Plus an early WW2 M-1 Carbine made by Inland. A.22 semi-auto rifle by Remington (552BDL, I think). And a single shot 12-gauge made by AJ Aubrey (?) which belonged to the same great-uncle who had this Colt Police Positive.38 Special.
Thanks for the link to those Colt serial numbers.Do you happen to know of an on-line source (free) for Smith & Wesson serial numbers (for revolvers)? I remember when I acquired my 4 S&W's but I only know the manufacture year for one of those four. Jeffjeff,There is no direct source for S&Wdates. The 'Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson' does give ranges of dates by model, and will come at least to year for the 'alphabet' serials with 3 letters. For guns manufactured the last 20 years or possibly a little longer you can call S&W customer service at 800-331-0852 and ask them, you might even get the actual day they were 'put up' as the factory calls it.
For older, pre 1950's or so the only date that is available, by requesting a factory letter for now $50, is shipping date. The factory did not keep manufacturing records, just shipping at that time.
Charter Arms Serial Number History
Charter Arms Revolver Serial Numbers
There is a Smith & Wesson forum, just google it.