Extraordinary Engraved Colt Model 1862 Police Percussion
A true masterpiece of mid-19th century percussion engraving offered for the first time. Colt 1862 Pocket Police, serial number 34145, features a variety of extravagant embellishments. Manufactured circa 1867, this Colt was shipped from the factory & subsequently embellished, likely through one of Colt’s primary New York dealers, who utilized several Colt factory engravers at this time.
The deluxe engraving on this piece covers approximately ¾ of the gun’s surfaces, including the hammer & loading lever, the latter seldom seen engraved. Bold vine & scroll flow effortlessly throughout, with two areas of the frame & barrel turning into wolf’s head motifs, and a wolf’s head adorns both sides of the hammer. The recoil shield & right side of the barrel each show a single floral petal motif. The atypical round cylinder is fully covered with vine & scroll contained by a wavy line border at the front and rear, while the rebated section shows small scroll accents. The loading lever shows full coverage on the visible parts with vine & scroll, a wavy line border, and a wheat leaf pattern opening up into a fish scale pattern as you go from frame to muzzle on the underside. The same wheat leaf pattern covers the top of the hammer.
The engraving was originally attributed to Colt factory work by Gustave Young in an evaluation performed by R.L. Wilson (pictured), however, upon further evaluation & consult, it is of the opinion of this author that the engraving is more likely to be Louis Nimschke or Georg Sterzing, however we cannot definitively identify the engraver.
This Colt is fitted with a pair of cast bronze, gold plated, Tiffany eagle grips. These grips, according to R.L. Wilson evaluation, are genuine Tiffany – recent consult on these grips has been inconclusive. We encourage any serious potential buyers to carefully review the photos of these grips, and to ask us for any more information about them to make an informed decision on their authenticity.
This revolver retains a significant portion of it’s silver plating, with some loss & tarnish, with trace gold plating remaining on the nipples. The finish is well preserved and has no major damage.
Overall, a tremendous example of mid-19th century firearm embellishment, in well preserved condition. A worthy centerpiece of any Colt collection.
