[fred cook]

Tabs,

I, too have been chasing Colt handguns for about 30 years or so. For some reason, Colt serialed the .22 LR PPTs in a separate serial number range. All of the other PPT calibers (.32, 22 WRF, etc.) were included in the serial numbers with the regular Police Positives. One of the Wilson books that I have has a good synopsis of serial numbers by model by year that is very helpful. Maybe it's the part of the country where we live, but I have run across many more .32 and .22WRF PPTs than I have .22LR versions. I have also seen a couple of guns with barrels marked as PPTs that had the flat top frame and adjustable rear sight, but did not have the adjustable front sights. I guess the reality is that in the 20s and 30s Colt made up pretty much what ever they wanted to produce. Of course, they may have been using up available parts trying to clear out a stock of old parts.