Manufactured in 1874, the second year of production, Colt's "New Line" revolvers were introduced alongside the legendary Colt Single Action Army revolver. These smaller pocket revolvers were intended both as a companion piece or backup to the Single Action Army, but also to appeal to a more urban oriented clientele that had little interest in carrying a full-size holstered revolver regularly. While the New Line of revolvers saw initial success, by the late 1870s production of most of the variations had ended, due in part to a plethora of very similar, often cheaper, pocket revolvers on the market. One of the most famous Colt advertisements of this range of revolvers was their "wheel display" at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, where they displayed a broad range of their offerings, particularly the New Line, most of which were highly embellished with deluxe finishes. Manufactured two years before the exposition, this revolver likely wasn't featured on the famous Colt wheel, however it displays very similar embellishment as many that were included. The back strap on this example is inscribed "Andrew E. Elmore/FORT HOWARD WISCONSIN". Andrew E. Elmore was born and raised in New York before moving to Wisconsin in the 1830s and then settling in Mukwonago in 1839. In 1840, Elmore was appointed postmaster and held that office until 1849. During that period he was involved in the politics of the county and also married in 1841. In 1842-1843, he was elected as a member of the Territorial House of Representatives and in 1860 was elected to the state assembly. For a total of 12 years, he was chairman of the board of supervisors of Waukesha County. He is noted as having possessed a "remarkable degree of a keen sense of wit and humor", early on being called the "Sage of Mukwonago", and as being genial, cordial, and companionable. The revolver itself has the standard two-line address on top of the barrel and the serial number on the bottom. The revolver shows nearly full coverage, exhibition quality, factory floral scroll engraving. The full serial number is also marked on the left of the grip frame, along with "E", and is repeated inside both grip panels in ink. The cylinder and trigger are gold plated, small parts are niter blued, and the remainder of the revolver is nickel plated. It is fitted with a blade front sight, frame top groove rear sight, and a pair of smooth pearl grips. Included with the revolver is a very attractive hardwood presentation case with a brass plaque on the lid inscribed "Andrew E. Elmore/Wisconsin" that is lined with purple velvet containing a cleaning rod/screwdriver and a nearly full cartridge block of .32 RF cartridges. Also includes some printed documentation regarding Elmore and the areas that he lived.

Excellent, retains 98% plus of both the gold and nickel finishes with some very light wear on the trigger, some scattered speckled flaking in the cylinder flutes, and crisp engraving and inscription. The grips are also excellent with a few light handling marks and attractively aged tone. Mechanically needs work as the hammer doesn't cock/cylinder doesn't rotate. The case is very fine with some light handling/storage wear. A spectacular exhibition quality, factory presentation engraved and inscribed Colt New Line revolver!