The Royal Hong Kong Police Revolver, the Police Positive Special

[officialpolice]

There is a Police Positive Special in my collection that was purchased in the early 1990's from SOG. The price was something like a $100. not counting shipping. This particular PPS was an old Royal Hong Kong Police service revolver (4" bbl.) in the .38 New Colt (.38 S&W) caliber. The gun had these black plastic grips on that I quickly replaced with the original Colt service grips after a thourough cleaning. The gun had been reblued (matt-finish) and from the looks of the metal it had seen a whole lot of holster use and not much actual firing. The timing was perfect. A tell-tale clue of a cop gun. Carried much and NOT shot often.

On the back-strap is the lettering "RHKP" and the numbers "8176" deeply etched (neatly) into the metal. From the serial number (74586X), there is a early 1960's factory date.

Does any of the Forum Members know the length of time these Colt's did duty with the Royal Hong Kong Police before the transition to the S&W Model 10 (.38 Spl. 4" tapered bbl.)?

My RHKP Colt has much evidence of cop use. Does anyone know the story of the RHKP PPS? How it was selected and the years served. How well the .38 New Colt cartridge performed when called upon or was the old British .380 cartridge used. In short, the story!

Many thanks in advance........David

[ky40601]

David,

I don't know the history of them but I have one as well. I kept the original stocks/grips.



Jackie

[ky40601]

[ky40601]

Jackie

[richardlejeune]

Hello from Switzerland ! official police
Hope this letter will be of interest.
Kind regards from Heidi's land

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/138/letterrhkp.gif

[popeye]

I had a S&W 10-7 RHKP 4" that I purchased about 12 years ago. My gun was nearly new. It was issued because a mark from the holster snap was visible on the sideplate. My understanding was some new revolvers were issued just prior to the switch to autos. Sorry for the non informational post. It's rare I see reference to RHKP. Now guns marked as such seem to bring a slight premium.

[A1A]

Here is the link to the letter.

http://www.img-hosting.ch/image.php?img=1274615358

Or, if you prefer just the image.

[Major Pain]

I have back strap #6957 that I picked up at an estate auction a couple years ago but no other info.--MP

[Bear Claw Chris Lappe]

Good gun, back in the 90's I had one of the these that had either been bored out or had a new cylinder fitted in .38 special, and the barrel restamped for .38sp.

Good shooter!

[cda926]

An Australian acquantance of mine that worked for the RHKP in the '70s & 80's told me that these Colts were issued after the supply of WW2 Enfields & Webleys ,both in .38/200, dried up. The patrol officers carried the Police Positive & detectives carried the Detective Special. However ,in 1980,they switched to the S&W Model 10 in .38 Spl. due to lack of ammo availability in the previous caliber as well as incident involving a prominent jewelry store robbery in which 112 shots were fired and the offenders escaped.

Best,
Charles