peashooter85:The Colt Model 1862 Police,After the successful introduction of the Colt Model 1860 and
peashooter85:The Colt Model 1862 Police,After the successful introduction of the Colt Model 1860 and the Colt Model 1861, many police departments and security companies across the country requested that a lighter, more compact version of the Model 1861 be produced. Police officers at the time tended to carry lighter pistols in a pocket. The Colt Model 1862 Police was a modification of the Model 1861 specifically designed for the law enforcement community. Built off of the M1861 frame, the Colt Model 1862 including several features to save weight and make the pistol more compact than other Colt Models. First and foremost the M1862 featured a shorter barrel, around 3.5 to 6.5 inches in length depending on the customer’s request. The revolver used a fluted cylinder, which was significantly lighter than the traditional round cylinders of other revolvers. Finally the M1862 cylinder only held five shots (.36 caliber), whereas other Colt models were six shooters. All of these features significantly decreased the weight of M1862. The Model 1851 and 1861 weighed around 2.5 lbs, while the Model 1860 weight almost 3 lbs. The Model 1862 weighed in at a slim 1.5 lbs.Around 28,000 Colt Model 1862 Police models were produced between 1862 and 1873. While many were purchased by police officers and security guards, most were purchased by Union soldiers and officers during the American Civil War. -- source link