Colt Model 1862 Police Revolver, serial no. 38549
Medium
Steel, gold, copper alloy (brass)
Dimensions
L. of pistol 11 in. (27.9 cm); Cal. .36 in. (9.1 mm)
Classification
Firearms-Pistols
Culture
American, Hartford, Connecticut and New York
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of W. C. Foxley, 2014
Accession Number
2014.699
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Colt Model 1862 Revolver, serial no 38549, crafted 1868 by the Colt's Patent Fire Arms Company in Hartford, Connecticut with artistic contributions from sculptor John Quincy Adams Ward in New York, exemplifies the of 19th-century American gunsmithing. Measuring 11 inches in length with a .36-caliber barrel, it is forged from steel, accented with gold and brass inlays that highlight its elegant lines and functional design. Ward, a leading figure in American sculpture known for public monuments, likely contributed finely detailed engravings, blending industrial precision with artistic flourish. Introduced during the Civil War, the Model 1862 was prized for its compact size, making it ideal for cavalry officers, lawmen, and civilians alike. Produced in the post-war boom, this example reflects Colt's dominance in firearm innovation, with over 28,000 units manufactured. Its smooth action and reliable percussion mechanism marked a shift toward more portable sidearms, influencing personal defense in the expanding American West. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department (gift of W. C. Foxley, 2014), this revolver transcends utility as a cultural artifact—symbolizing industrial might, craftsmanship, and the turbulent era of Reconstruction. Visitors will appreciate its harmonious marriage of form, function, and artistry.
About the Artist
Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company|John Quincy Adams Ward (American|American ) · 1855 |1830 –2014 |1910
American, Hartford, Connecticut, 1855–present|American, Urbana, Ohio 1830–1910 New York