Posted 9 years ago
Harborguy
(17 items)
I purchased this at a local auction. It was described as a reissued Colt 1862 pocket Navy 36 cal. black powder pistol. However, my research suggests that it might actually be the Police model. Therefore, I have contacted the Colt Co. and have ordered the history on this pistol. I believe this limited edition series was issued in the 1970's.
Most distinguishing feature on a Police model is the fluted cylinder.
The Navy models don't have fluted cylinders (yours).
scott
I was going on the serial number & information that indicated that models could be differentiated by odd/even numbers. I guess the history, when received from Colt, will confirm. Thank you for the input.
I never heard the odd/ even serial number ID.
Much easier to just look at what you have. If you do an image search for "m1862 colt police" you will see many examples.
Here is one:
http://www.19thcenturyweapons.com/110/hand/coltpolice.html
Notice the fluted cylinder and lack of cylinder engraving on the police model.
scott
You are most likely right since further research on my part indicates that I was confused by information which has since been proved to be incorrect. Here is what I subsequently discovered; " When John Breslin, William Pirie, and David Price were researching their book 'Variations of Colt's New Model Police and Pocket Breech Loading Pistol' from original Colt Factory records, they discovered that there were no recorded shipments of the so-called M1862 Pocket Navy prior to 1865, after the American Civil War was over. They published the serial number range for the Pocket Navy in their book and renamed it the M1865 Pocket Navy. This disprooved the theory put forth by Wilson of the odd-even serial numbers for the M1862's. In theory, it also somewhat complicates the serial number assignment of both 2nd and 3rd generation Pocket Police and Pocket Navy revolvers."