Samuel Colt's New Model Revolving Police Pistol came out just in time for the American Civil War and would have been an excellent sidearm for a police officer in one of the new police departments popping up in cities across the country or as a private sidearm for a soldier. Writing in "Armsmear: The Home, the Arm, and the Armory of Samuel Colt" in 1866, Henry Barnard noted of the Pocket Police and Pocket Navy, "The calibre, too, of the Pocket and Police pistols is .36-inch, the same as that of the Navy pistol. The increased calibre makes them more deadly weapons." The Pocket Police thus offered more firepower in a package the same size as the very popular Model 1849 Pocket. They also have the round barrel and toothed loading lever of the Model 1860 Army revolver, and very attractive fluted and stepped cylinders. They were generally referred to as Colt's Police Pistol in the period, and have been called the Model 1862 Police and the Pocket Police by collectors. They are considered by many to be the most attractive of all of Colt's percussion revolvers. Because they were designed to be great carry guns, they are hard to find in high condition, and this revolver is certainly among the very best extant. This stunning example was manufactured in 1863 and has the standard markings, including matching serial numbers (grip not removed). It has the "E" designation for factory engraving by the lower serial numbers and stunning entwining floral scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds on the barrel, frame, hammer, and grip straps. The case contains a cap tin, cartridge pack marked for "Colt's New Model Revolving Police Pistol," some balls and bullets, a "36 P" marked blued Colt ball/bullet mold, L-shaped combination tool, and an eagle pattern pocket flask. Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection; Private Collection

Very fine with crisp engraving, 60% plus bright original high polish blue finish, 85% plus of the vibrant original case colors, aged patina on the brass grip straps, and minor age and storage related wear. The grip is fine and has mild edge wear, 80% plus original varnish, some hammering dents on the butt, and minor scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very fine and have fairly minor age and storage related wear, and the flask and mold retain the vast majority of their original finish. Overall, this is a very attractive cased Civil War factory engraved Colt Model 1862 Police.