Guns International #: 102877277
Seller's Inventory #: 240413

Category - Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion - Colt Revolvers - Double Action Post-War

Category
Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion
Colt Revolvers - Double Action Post-War

Rare LONDON DESIGNATED & Proofed Antique COLT M1862 POLICE Perc. Revolver With DESIREABLE & SCARCE 6-1/2” Barrel

Description:
Rare LONDON DESIGNATED & Proofed Antique COLT M1862 POLICE Perc. Revolver 

With DESIREABLE & SCARCE 6-1/2” Barrel

Here we present an antique London Designated and Proofed Colt Model 1862 Police Percussion Revolver, made in 1868 in Hartford, Connecticut. Samuel Colt found great success in the late-1840s and early-1850s, so much so that he decided to expand his business to Europe. He briefly established a manufactory in London, though this was short-lived, instead opting to keep manufacturing in Hartford, making guns for export. The company did maintain an office and agent in London, however. This revolver was made for the British market from the factory. Once in London, it was proofed by British law. This gun has the “L” designation below the serial number on the butt plate indicating it was “London Designated”. The address on the top of the barrel reads “ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON”.

The introduction of the Model 1862 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.

Collectors today largely view these as the climax of the development of the percussion revolver. Unfortunately for Colt, the commercial market for the 1862 Police was overshadowed by cartridge revolvers. As a result, production was quite limited by Colt’s standards with approximately only 28,000 manufactured between 1862 and 1873. And, of those that were produced, it is estimated that 70% of these were converted to cartridge firearms leaving only 8,400 in the original state. These factors make the 1862 Police Revolver in its original percussion format quite scarce for collectors today. This revolver came with 3-1/2 inch, 4-1/2 inch and 6-1/2 inch barrels, with the 6-1/2 inchers harder to come by.

The overall condition is very good. Original blue finish and gray patina throughout. The action is excellent. The bore is shiny bright with sharp rifling. The grip is smooth and solid. Numbers match throughout.

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

Barrel is 6-1/2 inches.

Caliber: .36 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

ancestryguns

$2900

#240413
 

Price: $2,900.00                     Buy Now

Antique: Yes