The Colt Model 1862 Police Percussion Revolver was manufactured from 1861 through to circa 1873 in its own serial range from serial number 1 through to approx. 47700. The Police was in 36 caliber with a five shot rebated and half fluted cylinder. It had a round barrel with the creeping style loading lever and came in three barrel lengths of 3½, 4½, 5½ and 6 ½ inches.

The frame, hammer, and lever were case-hardened and the remainder of the revolver was blued. The grips were of one-piece walnut with silver-plated brass back-strap and trigger-guard. The barrel address is 'ADDRESS COL. SAM COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA' with. 'COLTS/PATENT' stamped on the left side of the frame. 'PAT SEPT. IOth 1850' is stamped within one of the cylinder flutes. Many of the late production Model 1862 Police and the Pocket Navy were converted from percussion to cartridge use. Please see the small frame conversion section.

There are several variations of the Model 1862 Police which are as follows:

Early specimens are found with the barrel address 'ADDRESS SAML COLT/HARTFORD CT' and have silver- plated iron grip-straps. Some Colt Model 1862 Police were shipped to the Pall Mall Agency in London. They are usually found with iron grip-straps with an L (denoting London) beneath the serial numbers and British proof-marks on the barrel and cylinder. Very few are found with the rare barrel address of 'ADDRESS COL. COLT/LONDON'. These are generally in the higher serial range.

Philip Boulton of Southampton, England has collated and recorded a survival rate of only 3.73% of the original production of 47,700 revolvers. For in-depth reference on the Colt Model 1862 Police percussion revolvers see 'The Book of Colt Firearms- 3rd Edition' by R.L. Wilson. For values, check out 'Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms… and their values' by Norm Flayderman.