Offered for auction in this lot is an early Civil War Manufacture Colt five-shot .36 caliber percussion Model 1862 Police Revolver. This very fine example with correct 4 _ inch barrel was manufactured during the midst of the heaviest fighting of the Civil War in 1863. It bears the serial number 17521 which is matching on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder and arbor. The Model 1862 was a popular weapon that bridged the gap between the small .31 caliber pocket model Colt and the larger and more cumbersome full size Army and Navy holster revolvers. It made a fine belt revolver or could be carried concealed under a coat. One of the best descriptions of the Colt1862 Police revolver is presented by Norm Flayderman in his classic work Flaydermanó»s Guide to Antique American Firearms: The Model 1862 Police is considered by many collectors as the ultimate in streamline design by Coltó»s factory in the percussion period. Due to slow sales and the demand for metallic cartridge arms, several thousand of the late production of the Model 1862 Police and the Pocket Navy were converted from percussion to cartridge use. The result has been to add to the desirability of these arms in their original cap and ball configuration.ó With only approximately 48,000 of this model in all forms being produced over 150 years ago, surviving examples are scarce, especially in this fine state of preservation and originality. This becomes apparent when compared to the numbers produced by other models: Colt Model1849- approx. 300,000; Colt Model1851- over 215,000; Colt Model1860- approx 200,500. The Model 1862 was made with one piece walnut grips and those on this example are exceptional, retaining perfect fit, no chips and showing almost all of the original varnish finish. The brass back strap and trigger guard also show strong traces of the original silver plate that has never been polished. The case hardened frame also retains traces of original case color as does the hammer and rammer. The cylinder and barrel show an attractive aged blue patina with fine deep blue in the protected areas and under the rammer on the barrel. All markings are exceptionally clear including the small 36 CALó stamping on the left rear side of the trigger guard, Colts Patentó stamping on the left side of the frame and ADDRESS COL. SAMl COLT NEW-YORK U. S. AMERICAó on the barrel top. Stamped within one of the cylinder flutes is PAT SEPT. 10th 1850.ó Mechanically this revolver is as tight and functional as the day it left the factory. The rifled bore is excellent and the rear of the cylinder retains all of the safety holding pinsó between each nipple which are usually found broken. These delicate pins allow the shooter to carry the revolver fully loaded with the hammer safely down and secured from movement on one of the pins between loaded chambers. There is a corresponding cut-out on the face of the hammer to encase the pin securely when the hammer is down and keep the cylinder from slipping or turning to a loaded chamber. Even the tiny conical brass front sight is intact on this rare revolver. Like the safety pinsó between each chamber on the back of the cylinder, the front sights on this model are usually found broken or missing. The screw heads in the frame, rammer, trigger guard and butt are all in excellent condition with many still retaining their original Colt blue finish! A truly excellent example of a Navy Caliber Colt revolver that very likely saw service as a personal weapon during the Civil War and later during the violent days of reconstruction and westward expansion. The revolver qualifies as an Antique Handgun, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check. Serial Number: 17521. For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer۪s responsibility to view each image and preview the item to determine condition.