I just bought this revolver as a present to my wife.  She loves old revolvers and rare calibers.

It is a Police Positive.

I was looking for some opinions on weather I should leave it in original condition or have it refinished?  I don't know much about it except that the S/N shows it was made in 1919.

How would I know if it was the target version?



Thanks for any information or advice.  

This one is from about 1909......I shoot it once a year or so. I would keep yours original.

I am not familiar enough with them to expound.....

It's not the target version, that wasn't available in that caliber. Also, it's worth more in its original finish so I would advise against rebluing.

Firearms in general should only be refinished after special consideration .

A proper refinish job can be quite expensive . With most newer guns it would be more cost effective to buy a brand new gun or a better condition used one. Possible exception to this is when a factory for whatever reason offers a cut rate to refinish .

With most older guns a good share of their value is to collectors and history buffs . To refinish a collectable or historic firearm will make it "pretty" but will absolutely trash most of its value.

From time to time a person has a beat up old firearm that for whatever reason has some sentimental value to them and they wish to make it "pretty" , "new" or "just like it used to look back whenever" As long as they understand the cost and the effect on the collectors value of the piece - why not ?

A gun like the OPs does have some collectors value and should not be messed with a lot . Oil it up , go after any active rust (gently!) but don't get crazy trying to make it shine . Looks like a fine toy. It is a old gun , that caliber is fairly mild , don't get crazy with hot reloads .

I have a bit of a fascination with 32-20 guns (a family thing).

I would totally keep that thing original.  It looks good just the way it sits.  I have an old Winchester 73 in 32-20 that I need to take out sometime.

Spend your money on reloading supplies.

Do not refinish.

I loves me some 32-20

I would remove the original grips.  The old hard rubber grips didn't hold up well over time and can be very fragile.  Modern copies have been made, I believe Brownells stocks them.  Otherwise leave it alone.  It's a nice enough pistol, but the condition isn't really collector quality.  A 32 20 Police Positive is somewhat common.

Looks to be in pretty good shape.   Have it looked over by a collector.   If it is all original, I would leave it alone.  

The target models have adjustable sights.

I would keep the original finish.
It's actually a Police Positive Special, as the cylinder is longer for the 32-20 and 38 special cartridge, and I have never seen a target PPS in 32-20.
Yours is the nice fixed sight model.

Does anyone know of any grips that fit these guns, because I think the grip frame size was discontinued some time in the mid twenties, and consequently, aftermarket grips were usually only
made for the later models in 38 spl.?

Ammo is available, at least occasionally,  from Winchester, Remington, Ultramax, Black Hills, Ten-X, HSM, Load-X, Buffalo Arms, Wisconsin Cartridge, and others.  
Most of it is all lead, thought sometimes someone will make a run of JSP.
There are even dummy cartridges available from AZOOM.

If you want to spend the bucks, (I think about $75, which is expensive), you can get a letter in a couple months from Colt, telling you a little bit about the gun, and where it originally went.
Most seem to have gone to hardware stores, or department stores.

I hear you on the pistol rifle set - these are both in great shape and I shoot them every year or so....I will have to try to get a die set. I have the Lee crimp already.

 

Damnit.... Now you have me looking at revolvers....

And you were doing so well.....until you entrapped me into ordering that brass! I hope you plan on going to confession for this........

See http://www.vintagegungrips.com/vintage-pistol-and-gun-grip-by-manufacturer-c-and-d.html