Make: Colt
Model: New Police
Serial Number: 9008
Year of Manufacture: 1899
Caliber: .32 New Police (.32 Smith & Wesson Long)
Action Type: Single Action/Double Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder
Barrel Length: 4"
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a "U"-notch integral to the top strap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with "COLT" in oval at the top of each panel. The interior of each panel has "9008" hand-scribed. The left panel had a loss at the bottom-front corner which has been filled and now incorporates a stylized "NP." marking. The grips otherwise show even minor handling wear. The checkering is well defined. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition as repaired.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There are scattered spots of light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 7/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is light handling wear in the grip areas, small spots of wear behind each cylinder flute, with infrequent other light wear. There is a little scattered minor oxidation and some scattered light marks. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Colt New Police .32 Revolver holds a particularly notable place in history due to its adoption by the New York City Police Department under the leadership of Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt in 1896. This decision marked the Colt New Police as the first standard-issue revolver for NYPD officers, a significant endorsement that underscored the revolver's suitability for law enforcement use.
In the late 19th century, as urban centers like New York City grew, the need for more effective and standardized policing tools became evident. Theodore Roosevelt, who served as the NYPD Police Commissioner before his ascent to the presidency of the United States, was an advocate for modernizing the police force. His selection of the Colt New Police revolver was part of a broader effort to professionalize the NYPD and equip its officers with reliable and effective firearms.
The .32 Colt caliber of the New Police revolver was considered adequate for law enforcement purposes at the time, offering a balance between firepower and ease of use. The revolver's double-action mechanism was particularly advantageous for police work, allowing for faster and more intuitive firing in the high-pressure scenarios often encountered by officers.
The adoption of the Colt New Police by the NYPD not only cemented the revolver's reputation for reliability and effectiveness but also set a precedent for other law enforcement agencies in the United States. This moment in history was significant in the standardization of police equipment and marked the beginning of a new era in law enforcement. Today, the Colt New Police .32 Revolver is remembered not only as a piece of Colt's storied history in firearms manufacturing but also as a key player in the evolution of modern policing tactics and equipment. This example is in quite extraordinary condition for a revolver more than 125 years old and will make a fine addition to a collection of early swing-out revolvers. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid!
