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Lot 849

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Revolver, Colt's New Police, NYPD, 32. cal, 1896

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Revolver, Colt's New Police, NY, 32. cal. 1896 issued when Teddy Roosevelt was Police Commissioner. 'New York Police' on back strap and issue number '75' on butt strap This is one of 4500 guns purchased by the NYPD. This early production gun was probably made in the first year of production 1896. Gun is all original and complete and matching in F-Exc with 90% of blue, fine mechanics and checkered hard rubber grips. Gun shows honest wear as worn in holster. This gun was inspected by John Sexton and the foregoing statement is his descriptive analysis.
Accompanied by letter of authenticity from the Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc. in Hartford, Connecticut and signed by Kathleen J. Hoyt, Historian for Colt.
Very early model issued by the NYPD, with officer number stamped upon bottom strap and "New York Police" inscribed upon back strap. Serial number of #448 stamped upon interior frame. "Colt New Police 32" inscribed on the 4" barrel.
Provenance: Miki and James J. Mangan III of Fairfield, CT
Size: Total L. 9.25", Barrel: L. 4"
Weight: 1lb
Condition: very good to excellent

This is an interesting piece of Colt and New York City Police history. Its an antique pre-1898 Colt New Police Revolver in .32 Colt/.32 S&W, 4" barrel with a factory engraved back strap marked "NEW YORK POLICE". In addition to those markings, the bottom strap of the handle has the badge number of the New York Police Officer who carried it. Antique Pre-1898 serial number is in the 400 range. The Colt Police was the grandfather to the modern double action Police revolver. These were originally ordered by Theodore Roosevelt, NYPD who presided as President of the Board of Commissioners for the Department 1895-97. We all know of TR as the colorful Rough Rider in the Span Am War who became President of the United States, but his early years were far from mundane. After the loss of his wife, he spent several years out West as a rancher and even local Sheriff of his community. He eventually moved back East and began a career in public service during the 1880's. By the Mid-1890's Roosevelt had made a name for himself as a reformer on the New York Civil Service Board. He had fought hard to hire public servants based solely on their qualifications in direct contrast to how positions were usually filled.

very good to excellent

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