Colt New Police Revolver
History of the Weapon
The Colt New Police is a single and/or double action .32 Colt Long or Short Caliber, six shot revolver. It was manufactured from 1896 to 1905 by Colt Firearms of Hartford, CT. The sights on the weapon were fixed. It could be purchased with a two and a half inch, four inch, or six inch barrel. It could be purchased with a blued or nickel finish and hard rubber grips. It was selected by NYPD Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt in 1896 to be the standard issue pistol for NYPD officers. Prior to 1896, NYCPD Officers would arm themselves with pretty much whatever they wanted. Roosevelt saw the need for a standard service revolver that chambered the same ammunition and every officer would learn to use. After trying one out himself, Roosevelt ordered 4500 Colt New Police revolvers and began standardized training in marksmanship...a skill most 1890's era officers sorely lacked.
References
Modern Guns, Revised 7th Edition, Russell and Steve Quertermous, Schroeder Publishing, 1989.
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