Manufactured in 1868, these matching Colt Model 1862's Police revolvers feature factory carved ebony grips with the monogram "MMA" on the left side. The top of the barrel is marked "ADDRESS COL SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA", the left side of the frame is marked "COLTS / PATENT" and the left side of the trigger guard shoulder is marked "36 CAL". The matching serial number is marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, wedge and cylinder pin, with the partial number "7873" on the rear face of the cylinder. Blue barrel and cylinder, casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer, and silver plated brass trigger guard and back strap. Standard small brass cone front sight and hammer notch rear sight. The pair are complete in a rosewood case with brass hardware and corner reinforcements and pale green fabric lining. There is a brass plaque affixed to the lid that is period inscribed "MMA" in script letters. In the case is a small eagle flask with the rare long spout for the 36 caliber, "L" shaped nipple wrench/screwdriver, two cavity iron bullet mold marked "COLT'S/PATENT" on the sprue and "36 CAL on one arm and two 250 count Eley Bros. cap tins, one full, the other partially full. This pair of Colt Model 1862 Police revolvers are listed as No. AV-83661, Page 1, Gimbel Brothers., Sept. 1945 catalog, where they are fully described and priced as $289.00. There were several important Mexican historic arms listed in this catalog, including a Colt Model 1862 Police that was the property of Gen. M. Escobedo. Gimbel Bros. was a very fine department store in New York City, a competitor of Macy's, and was an early dealer in fine quality collector's arms. The owner of this particular collection was not identified in this catalog, but it has been theorized that at least a portion of it was obtained from Mexico. Reportedly these revolvers were out of the collection of Tom Weston from Mexico City ,who was a famous early pre-war gun dealer and the fabricator of the famous Weston miniatures. Over time it apparently was concluded that the revolvers had once belonged to General Miguel Miramon Aragon who was a career Mexican army officer, was elected interim President for a very short term, fought with Emperor Maximillian and later executed with Maximillian and others on June 19, 1867. However, according to Colt's manufacture date and the date of Miramon's execution this leads to the improbability that this set could not have been his. His execution was approximately six months before the guns were manufactured. There is no doubt however that this fantastic pair of revolvers belonged to someone of high power and prestige in order to have personalized carved ebony grips, not only on one gun but on two in a monogrammed case. If a Colt factory letter could be obtained it may shed some light on the matter or reveal a very interesting past on this pair of revolvers. An original Gimbel Brothers catalog listing this pair of Colt 1862 Police revolvers also accompanies these revolvers. There is also a typed letter dated January 26, 2004 that states that these revolvers at one time were owned by the Liberty Bell Museum in Lincolnwood, Illinois and subsequently sold to Arnold Chernoff in 1976 or 1977. They are an interesting cased pair of Colt Model 1862 Police Percussion Revolvers that obviously belonged to someone of great power and prestige and further research may reveal their place in history.

Very fine as partially period refinished, the trigger guard and back strap. The barrel retains 90% plus of the original thinning blue finish. There are some scattered minor dings and very light spotting. The cylinder retains 50% original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance, and showing some tool marks and minor dings. The frame retains 40% original case colors, brightest in protected areas with a smooth dark patina on the balance. The hammer shows 50% of the original case colors. The loading lever shows traces of strong bright case colors in protected areas with the balance having a smooth dark patina. The trigger guard and back strap retain 99% of the period re-plated silver with some dark spots on the front of the trigger guard. The grips are excellent with almost all of the varnish on the right side and 70% on the left side with a couple of minor dings and slight handling marks overall. All markings are crisp and clear. The action is tight as new. The case is very good The exterior shows some minor scratches with an aged patina on the brass. The interior remains fine with some slight fraying, loosening at edges of partitions, minor staining and slight wear from the front sight and hammer. The flask is very good plus showing most of the original lacquer finish and a couple of dents. The bullet mold is very good showing some pin prick type pitting and strong bright original finish. The tins are very good with 95% plus of the labels remaining and most of the lacquer finish remaining. A very nice cased pair Colt 1862 Police revolvers.

Described in "A".

Very fine as partially period refinished, the trigger guard and back strap. The barrel and cylinder retain 75% of the original finish with overall flaking with a smooth brown patina on the exposed surfaces. There are a few minor dings on the barrel around the wedge. The frame retains 70% of the original bright case colors, turning dark on the recoil shields. The loading lever retains almost all of the bright case colors on the left side and has a smooth gray patina on the right side. The hammer retains 60% of the bright case colors with a smooth dark patina on the balance. The trigger guard and back strap retain 99% of the period re-plated silver with some age darkening on the trigger guard around the bow and on the edges of the front strap. The grips are very good retaining almost all of the original varnish. There is a small chip on each toe, a few minor dings on the bottom right side, a small chip on the lower right side and light overall handling marks. All complete and partial numbers match. The markings remain crisp and clear. The action is fine.