IDENTIFIED COLT 1862 POLICE REVOLVER

$2,750.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2024-638

In 1861 Colt introduced two new pocket model revolvers in the more powerful .36 caliber chambering. Until that time, all of Colt’s “Pocket” guns had been .31 caliber, or in the case of some of the Root revolver production, .28 caliber. These new pocket revolvers can be considered “scaled up” 1849 Pocket Models or scaled down Belt Pistols (aka “Navy” models), as both guns had features of their smaller and larger siblings. The two new models were known as the Model 1862 Police and the Model 1862 Pocket Navy.

The “Police” model resembled a scaled down, early production Colt Model 1861 New Model Belt (Navy) revolver, built on a Colt Model 1849 Pocket frame. The .36 caliber revolver had a five shot fluted cylinder and the grip frame and triggerguard were of Colt Pocket size and style. It had a round barrel, a creeping loading lever and was available in 3 ½”, 4 ½”, 5 ½” and 6 ½” barrel lengths. The Pocket Navy was essentially a scaled down Model 1851 Navy that was also built on a Model 1849 Pocket frame, with a .36 caliber, five shot, rebated round cylinder that was roll engraved with the same Stagecoach Hold Up scene used on the Model 1849 Pocket. Like the Police model it used a Pocket-sized frame and triggerguard but had an octagonal barrel and conventional swinging link loading lever like those used on the Model 1849 and Model 1851 revolvers. Like the Police, it was available in four barrel lengths ranging from 3 ½” to 6 ½”, in 1” increments. The standard finish for both revolvers was blued barrels and cylinders, color case hardened frames and silver-plated brass backstraps, gripstraps and triggerguards. A few of the revolvers were produced with iron grip frames and triggerguards, which were also silver plated, but these are only found on very low number, early production guns. Early production revolvers will be found with the desirable Hartford barrel address, but the majority of the production carried the typical New York barrel address. Although both models are referred to with the model date of 1862, both went into production in 1861, and would remain in production until the end of the Colt percussion era in 1873. During that time some 47,000 of both models would be produced, manufactured concurrently, and utilizing the same serial number series, regardless of model. According to Colt researcher and author R.L Wilson, it is believed that about 60% of the total production of the two models was of the 1862 Police pattern, which would be approximately 28,200 guns, produced over about the thirteen-year production period. Compared to the Colt Pocket, with about 331,000 guns produced, this makes the 1862 Police a much less common gun, with only one being manufactured for about every eleven Model 1849 Pocket Models.

This fine Colt Police Revolver bears a serial number of “13170”, which matches throughout.  According to Colt’s database, this pistol was manufactured in 1862 – the year of the model’s introduction. The revolver has a 4 ½” barrel and the typical fluted cylinder of the 1862 Police Model. The top of the barrel is marked in a single line with the usual New York address and reads:

“ADDRESS COL SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA”. The lower left side of the frame, forward of the cylinder is marked in two lines, “COLT’S PATENT”, and one of the cylinder flutes is marked,

“PAT. SEPT. 10TH 1850”.  The brass grip frame at the butt of the grip is marked “1862”.  Traces of the original finish on the revolver can be seen but have blended with a light gray patina to create a very nice, period condition. All mechanics work well with tight lockup and great timing.  All brass has a nice, mellow golden hue.  The barrel’s bore is somewhat dull, but the rifling is strong.  The walnut grips are in nice condition with a few localized spots of discoloration and minor wear.

The most unique feature of this revolver is the engraving on the grip’s brass backstrap that reads “C.A. GLIDDEN”.  According to records, 6 individual soldiers match the name, but it is most likely that of Sergeant Charles A. Glidden.  At 31, Charles enlisted in the 24th Maine in October of 1862 and was mustered into Company B as a Sergeant.  Not long after, the regiment was sent to Fortress Monroe in Virginia, transferred to New Orleans, and sent to Port Hudson to take part in the siege.  After the surrender and at the end of their 9 month term of service, they returned home to Maine and mustered out at the end of August, 1863 in Augusta.  Evidenced by their service in the swamps and marshes of the deep South, the regiment lost 1 man in combat, and 191 men and officers to disease.

This doubly rare Colt is one of the more uncommon models and would make the perfect addition to your Civil War collection.  [cm][ph:L]

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