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LOT 163
Well-Documented “New York” Engraved Colt Model 1862 Police Conversion Revolver
with “Tiffany” Eagle and Snake Grip - Serial no. 1955, 38 RF cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel
finish, metal grips. This very attractive revolver is featured on page 195 of “Colt Firearms” by Serven where it is noted as a “Police
Model of 1862 converted to .38 rimfire. This is a deluxe specimen, showing the expert engraving and special cast bronze stock featured by Schuyler, Hartley and Graham, old-time gun dealers.” It was also featured in the Jackson Arms’ catalog 21 from 1964 and on page 326 of the “A Study of Colt Conversions and Other
Percussion Revolvers” by Bruce McDowell as noted in an appraisal letter dated December 15, 1998, by noted collector/authority Fred Sweeney. It is one of around
6,500 ‘62 Police and Pocket Navy revolvers manufactured in .38 rimfire or .38 centerfire with ejectors c. 1873-1875. This revolver features beautiful “New York” style scroll and floral
engraving with beaded backgrounds throughout, a post front sight, the one-line New York barrel address, “COLTS/PATENT” on
the left side of the frame, “36 CAL” on the left side of the trigger guard, assembly number “2033” on the loading gate, matching serial numbers visible on the barrel, frame, and triggerguard; and a cast Mexican eagle themed grip that replaces the back strap and has the matching serial number under the butt cap. Mexico was a key firearms market for Colt after the American Civil War.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with crisp New York engraving and grip designs, 95% of the retailer applied nickel plated finish remaining, some minor flaking mainly on the frame, and general mild overall age and storage related wear. Mechanically excellent. Overall a very attractive and distinctive Colt revolver from the early cartridge era and an excellent example of the fine arms embellished and sold by
the influential New York dealers Schuyler, Hartley & Graham.
Provenance: The Francis E. “Bud” Firth Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK A STUDY OF COLT CONVERSIONS AND OTHER
PERCUSSION REVOLVERS BY MCDOWELL
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