Make: Colt

Model: New Police

Serial Number: 807, New York Police rack or badge number 183

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 a non-matching number hand-scribed. The right panel has a loss on the bottom-rear at the indexing stud. The grips otherwise show light handling wear, a little more notable on the right panel. There are some light nicks and small scratches, mostly on the bottom. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Nickel

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 4/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its current metal finish. There is a little finish loss at the muzzle, the front sideplate screw, and behind the cylinder latch. There is some scattered erosion under the finish, most notable on the right of the frame. There are some minor nicks, scuffs and small scratches. There is turn-wear on the cylinder and the action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. 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 it appears 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 has a new nickel finish, giving it a distinctive appearance. It has 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!