Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze

       Colt New Police 32 Double Action Revolver

      New Police 32 Double Action Revolver. Made c. 1896-1907; total produced about 49,500. Under 4,600 (approx.) made prior to Dec. 31, 1898.

      32 Colt, 32 Colt New Police, and 32 S& W calibers. 6-shot cylinder. Barrel lengths of 2-1/2", 4", and 6".

      Checkered hard rubber grips with COLT oval motif. Finished either in blue or nickel plating.

      Serial numbering in an individual range, from 1 on up through approximately 49500 (and including the New Police Target Model): numbers then continued by the Police Positive 32 Model. Barrel marking of Colt company name, Hartford address, and 1884 and 1888 patent dates. COLT’S NEW POLICE stamped on left side of the frame.

      The New Police 32 was the second pocket size double action swingout cylinder revolver brought out by Colt’s factory. It was given a substantial boost by Theodore Roosevelt and the New York City Police Department, purchasers of better than 4,500 specimens, all with the backstrap marking: NEW YORK POLICE. The New Police 32 is quickly identified by the serial range, 1884 and 1888 patent markings, and the frame marking: NEW POLICE.

      Basic variations are:

      Standard model, blue or nickel finish:

       5B-213

5B-213

Values—Very Good $90

Exc. $275

      New Police Target model; 6" barrel, flattop target frames and target sights, otherwise basically same as standard model; total production about 5,000:

5B-214

Values—Very Good $250

Exc. $650

      (Note: Premium placed on New York Police contract revolvers, and other specially roll marked revolvers.)

       Colt Model 1900 Automatic Pistol

      Model 1900 Automatic Pistol. Manufactured 1900-03; total run of about 3,500.

      38 rimless smokeless caliber. Magazine held 7 shots. Barrel length 6".

      Walnut, checkered walnut, or hard rubber grips. Blued finish; the hammer and combination sight/safety casehardened.

      Serial numbered from 1 on up through about 3500; numbers then continued by the Model 1902 Sporting Pistol. Left side of the slide marked BROWNING’S PATENT, with 1897 patent date, and the Colt company name and Hartford address. Caliber designation and AUTOMATIC COLT on right side of the slide.

      An extremely significant pistol to the collector, the Model 1900 was Colt’s first production in the category of automatic handguns. In its own way this is the “Paterson” of Colt autos, and several of its features are quite primitive when compared to later developments. Long slide without slide stop, pointed hammer spur, rear sight doubling as a safety (later replaced by sight mounted in dovetailed fashion), rather straight grip.

      Major variations are:

      Standard model, with rear sight also serving as hammer safety:

       5B-215

5B-215

Values—Very Good $1,450

Exc. $6,000

      As above, but hammer safety rear sight altered to conventional rear sight:

5B-216

Values—Very Good $800

Exc. $2,000

      Pistols with slide serrations on front area of slide (above serial range of about 2000):

5B-217

Values—Very Good $1,250

Exc. $5,500

      U.S. Navy model, marked USN and number on left side of the frame, with the Colt serial number on right side of frame:

5B-218

Values—Very Good $2,750

Exc. $6,500

      U.S. Army model, two contracts (as below) intermingled in the commercial series production. Each contract marked on left trigger bow U.S.

      Although quantities purchased of this Army model somewhat higher than Navy model, they appear with less frequency, and in more worn states of condition, hence values usually higher:

      First contract, total quantity 75; in serial range under 200. Plain, smooth walnut grips with inspector’s cartouche on left grip dated 1900 over initials JTT:

5B-219

Values—Very Good $7,000

Exc. $19,500

---

Скачать книгу