Make: Colt
Model: New Police
Serial Number: 22462
Year of Manufacture: 1903
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 "22462" hand-scribed. The grips have been covered in what appears to be some kind of adhesive clear coat. Whether the coating has filled or simply covers smoothed checkering is not clear. The grips show scattered wear with small losses at the bottom-rear, the pieces still adhered to the frame. Overall, the grips rate in Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with generally well defined rifling. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4+/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 30% of its metal finish. Finish remains mostly around raised features and in protected areas. Most other surfaces are worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is residue around the grips from their coating. There are scattered tool marks. The ejector rod is missing its head. There are scattered nicks, scratches and minor oxidation. There are tool marks around most screw heads. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Fair condition (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The cylinder can be pushed out of lock when the hammer is down and the trigger is not depressed. Otherwise, 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. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid!
