Collection Finally Got A 1862 Police

[Papabyrd]

I have been looking for a 1862 Police for years and I finally found one I could afford. What makes it extra special is that it is first year production serial number 226 all matching numbers. It has definitely been used and has the scars to prove it. Action works, still has some original bluing on the frame but pretty much gone on the barrel and cylinder.
Colt says it was made in 1861. Very happy to be the caretaker of this little piece of history.

 

[Quantrill's Missouri]

Niiice! If only she could talk!

 

[Papabyrd]

Niiice! If only she could talk!

Thats for sure

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

I am quite jealous! I've been hunting for an 1862 Police myself...still haven't found the right one for the right price. I love the low serial number.....well done, sir!

 

[bobinwmass]

It appears to me that the font of the "2"s on the trigger guard are different from the other parts. Is that normal?

 

[Bonedaddy]

Nice old gun but I agree that the numbers do look different.

 

[Papabyrd]

Only think I can think of is they had two styles of #2 stamps. If the numbers were changed it was a long time ago because the partina.
looks the same all over the trigger guard and back strap.

 

[R. Porter]

It appears to me that the font of the "2"s on the trigger guard are different from the other parts. Is that normal?

The font of the 6 on the trigger guard is different from the 6 on the "36 CAL" stamp too. The "normal" number has 2's with a straight base and the upper part terminating in a disk, while the 6 has no disk. The 2's on the trigger guard have a squiggly base and no disk. The 6 on the "36 CAL" has a disk, unlike the other 6's. It looks like there could be an even greater mix of fonts, but what does it mean?

 

[bobinwmass]

I keep enlarging the photos. To me it appears there may be remnants of other numbers under the 226 on the barrel and buttplate.

 

[bobinwmass]

I am by no means a Colt revolver expert, but I guess I am just suspicious and cynical by nature, and tend to fixate on details. I can't help but wonder if perhaps the serial number on the trigger guard is the only original one, and the numbers on the other parts ground down enough to stamp the matching 1861 era numbers on them but in the wrong font. The flat where the 226 is stamped in the barrel does appear to have some file or scratch marks at the rounded edges. I also pulled my Police revolver out of the case to compare. On mine, where the front of the brass trigger guard meets the frame, there are beveled edges in the frame that end flush with the end of the trigger guard.

On yours, the beveled edges go under the brass guard and there appears to be a gap under the brass - perhaps from grinding down a bit too far? Maybe I'm making much ado about nothing, and hopefully the real experts chime in to tell I'm wrong. But if my suspicions are correct and the gun is not everything you thought it to be, you might want to consider returning it.

 

[Papabyrd]

I'm really not that picky about serial numbers. I have several in my collection that have mismatched numbers. I just want an example of each one. I have a Colt Richardson first model that someone put a 1851 brass grip Frame and grip on it. To me that just adds to the guns history.

 

[Dusty]

That is wonderful, congratulations

 

[R. Porter]

I would wonder if the numbers might reflect repair or maintenance performed on the weapon or maybe have something to say about the actual fabrication in the factory. When you know nothing about those types of processes you could be missing some interesting information or the fact that they weren't worried about the fonts when grabbing some numbers to stamp with. One way to get a better understanding would be to obtain more examples for comparison. So there you have it; you've just got to buy more Colt 1862 Police revolvers. We'll sit here patiently while you run out and get some more. Make sure you take clear pictures before you post them for us.