Antique COLT M1862 POLICE .38 RF Conversion Revolver w/EJECTOR ROD CLASSIC COLT Revolver in .38 RIMFIRE

Product Description

Antique COLT M1862 POLICE .38 RF Conversion Revolver w/EJECTOR ROD 

CLASSIC COLT Revolver in .38 RIMFIRE

Here we present an antique Colt Model 1862 Police Conversion Revolver, made circa 1873-75 in Hartford, Connecticut after the Rollin-White patent expired. The single largest batch of altered, converted or remanufactured revolvers were in the 1862 Police and Pocket Navy sizes, all altered to .38 caliber, in either rimfire or centerfire. Colt produced 24,000 cartridge revolvers on this mid-sized frame between 1873 and 1881, with at least 5 model variations and configurations. According to Breslin, Pirie and Price in “Variations Of Colt’s New Model Police & Pocket Breech Loading Pistols,” these types of revolvers were not conversions. They left the factory as newly made (from Police parts) breech-loading cartridge revolvers. These mid-sized .38 cartridge revolvers were produced in three different serial number ranges. These guns are found serial numbered in the upper regions of the Model 1849 Pocket serial number range (between about 274,000 and 328,000), in the upper regions of the Model 1862 Pocket Navy and Police ranges (found between about 36,000 and 48,000) and in their own range of about 1-19,000. These guns were manufactured between 1873 and 1880/81 with most of the new serial number range guns manufactured between 1873-1875, and the balance of the guns primarily being produced circa 1875-1880. In all cases, the unsold stock remained on hand, and in many cases was still shipping in the mid-to-late 1880s.

One of the most aesthetically pleasing aspects of the 1862 Pocket Navy is its cylinder scene. Cylinder scenes during this period were common, especially for Colt, not only for their visual appeal, but because it made a revolver more difficult to forge. The scene on the cylinder of the 1862 Pocket Navy is that of a stagecoach robbery. The focal point is the stagecoach drawn by four horses. A woman in a dress is seen framed in the doorway of the side of the coach. The driver is standing alongside wielding his pistol against multiple assailants as the horses rear and struggle against their harnesses. Several of the bandits lay dying on the ground, one tries to control the horses, two are running away and one is in the process of falling dead after being shot. Not a bad way to show interested buyers what a pistol like this would be good for. It did a fine job as a self-defense handgun for the average citizen in 19^th Century America.

The percussion Model 1862’s introduction was an attempt to fill a niche in the market for a pocket revolver suited for civilians and police of a larger caliber (.36) than the 1849 Pocket Revolver (.31). Much as the Colt 1851 Navy was a scaled-up version of the 1849 Pocket, the 1862 Police was a scaled down version of the 1861 Navy, which was a scaled down version of the 1860 Army. The result was a sleek, stylish and light, 5-shot pocket revolver in .36 caliber.

The overall condition is very good. Original nickel finish. Visible stagecoach robbery cylinder scene. The action is strong. The bore is dim and void of rifling. Grip is solid. Numbers match.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 4-1/4 inches.

Caliber: .38 Rimfire

Overall condition as seen in photos.

Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!

Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

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$2100
#240119