1862 Police

The Colt Model 1862 Police stands as the most aesthetically refined and technologically advanced of Samuel Colt’s percussion revolvers. Introduced in 1861, it was specifically engineered to meet the needs of law enforcement and metropolitan police forces who required a lightweight and easy to conceal revolver. Production of this model continued until 1873, with approximately 28,000 units manufactured. It represented a final, elegant push to maximize the potential of the small "Pocket" frame before the industry shifted toward metallic cartridges.

Mechanically, the 1862 Police is a single-action .36 caliber revolver, typically featuring a five-shot capacity. To save weight and improve the balance, the cylinder was deeply fluted, and the barrel was rounded rather than octagonal. It utilized the "creeping" loading lever, a geared rack-and-pinion system that provided smoother operation when seating projectiles. Barrel lengths were offered in various increments, most commonly 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, and 6.5 inches, allowing users to choose the specific degree of concealability they required.

During the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865, the 1862 Police saw use as a private-purchase sidearm. While not a standard-issue infantry weapon, many Union and Confederate officers favored it for its portability during long campaigns. Beyond the battlefield, it served its namesake purpose in civil contexts, becoming a staple for early municipal police departments and private citizens in an increasingly volatile era.

Users primarily appreciated the 1862 Police for its remarkable "power-to-weight" ratio; it offered the punch of a Navy-caliber round in a package that weighed significantly less than a full-sized belt pistol. However, the model’s primary drawback was its reduced five-shot capacity, a necessary sacrifice to fit the .36 caliber chambers into the small frame. Additionally, like its predecessors, the open-top frame lacked the structural rigidity of solid-frame designs, though its light recoil meant frame stretching was less of a concern than in the heavier .44 caliber models.