Make: Colt

Model: New Police

Serial Number: 2624, New York Police rack or badge number 1296

Year of Manufacture: 1896

Caliber: .32 Long & Short Colt

Action Type: Double Action SA/DA Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder

Barrel Length: 4"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel above the muzzle. The rear sight is a U-notch integral to the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber featuring “COLT” in an oval logos. The inside of each panel has the serial number hand-scribed. The grips have light handling wear. There are some light nicks and small scratches, mostly on the bottom. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is some scattered light erosion and pitting. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6+/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There is infrequent other finish wear with a few light nicks and small scratches. There is some light erosion on the face of the muzzle and the front face of the cylinder. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a Colt Archives letter and a red and yellow box of Winchester 32 Colt New Police cartridges. We did not unwrap the box, but one end has "39 rds" hand-written, it does not appear to be full.

Our Assessment: The Colt New Police is a double-action, six-shot revolver manufactured from 1896 to 1907 by Colt's Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut. The New Police Revolver was selected in 1896 to be the first standard issue revolver of the New York Police Department. This decision was made by the Police Commissioner who was trying very hard to clean up the city, one Theodore Roosevelt. The New Police would eventually be replaced in the Colt catalog in 1907 by the improved Colt Police Positive, which featured an internal hammer block safety and better lock work.

This New Police is not only from the first year of production, 1896, but has New York Police engraved markings. Colt Archives confirms that this revolver shipped September 14, 1896 to the New York Police Department as one of 100 revolvers of the same type in the shipment. The revolver retains strong mechanics, a decent bore, and much of its original metal finish, having survived 130 years better than any of us are likely to! This revolver's history in the progression of Colt revolvers and association with the NYPD will make it a great addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck in your bidding!