This Colt Model 1862 Police Conversion revolver with factory engraving was manufactured c. 1873-1875. This revolver is illustrated and described on pages 329-330 of "COLT CONVERSIONS" by R. Bruce McDowell. McDowell states that this is one of the finest known Model 1862 Police Conversion revolvers and describes it as: "In exceptionally fine condition with most of its rich factory blue and vivid color case hardening". He further notes that this revolver was factory engraved in percussion form and subsequently converted by Colt to a metallic cartridge revolver. He states that the conversion ring shows a later style (dot and zig-zag) engraving and that the original hand-engraved patent marking has not been over-stamped. The revolver has a blued barrel, ejector housing and five-shot cylinder, casehardened frame, loading gate and hammer and silver-plated trigger guard and back strap. The one-piece walnut grip has a high polish piano finish. A block "E" stamped above or below the serial number on the barrel lug, frame and back strap indicates that those components were designated by Colt for engraving or special finish. The barrel, frame, loading gate, conversion ring, trigger guard and back strap are decorated with what Colt expert R. L. Wilson described as "Late Percussion Vine Style Scroll Engraving". The hammer is engraved with a wolf head motif. The cylinder is roll-stamped with the Stagecoach Hold-Up scene and "COLTS PATENT". The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA" in one line. "COLTS/PATENT" is hand engraved on the left side of the frame in a panel formed by scroll-work. The full serial number is stamped on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The cylinder and inside of the loading gate are stamped with the partial serial number "1384". All of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel has a brass cone front sight. The hammer has a center-mounted firing pin. The revolver is complete with a mahogany, French-style, case designed specifically for a conversion revolver. The case is lined with purple velvet and contains: (1) empty, carton of 50 UMC .38 "Central Fire Cartridges", (2) L-shaped screw-driver and (3) blued steel cleaning rod in fitted compartments.

Very fine. The barrel retains 75% of the bright original high polish blue finish with scattered finish loss. The ejector housing shows contact wear. The cylinder has faded to a smooth, gray-brown patina. Nearly all of the roll-engraved scene remains. The frame, loading gate and conversion ring retain 80% of the original casehardened finish with strong case colors. Nearly 85% of the original silver-plated finish remains on the trigger guard and back strap. The engraving, markings and serial numbers are crisp. The grip is in very fine condition and retains at least 85% of the original piano finish varnish with minor handling marks. The case exterior is in very good condition with a hair-line crack across the top of the lid. The case lining is in fair condition. The fabric on the lid is in very good condition with bright colors and one small oil stain. The lining in the bottom of the case is discolored from contact with the revolver barrel and cylinder and torn at contact points with the revolver muzzle, trigger guard, cylinder and hammer. The empty cartridge carton is in fine condition. The screw-driver and cleaning rod remain in excellent condition. This is a very fine and well-documented example of a rare factory engraved, cased Colt Model 1862 Police Conversion revolver.