September 20, 2018 Colt Firearms Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/20/2018
The Henry Eurotas Hastings factory engraved pearl gripped Colt New Police .38. This superb New Police is possibly the finest known example of this model revolver. It was presented to Henry E. Hastings at Christmas in 1883. Mr. Hastings was a member of the First Church of Hartford and doubtless a wealthy and prominent citizen at that time. The beautiful revolver retains nearly 100% of its original bright Colt factory nickel throughout, with only the most minor haze forming at extreme butt. The etched New Police panel is as it left the factory in 1883.The nearly full coverage engraving is lovely and makes the Hastings New Police look like a smaller version of a Panel Scene Single Action Army. The scrolls are flawless in execution and design. The saddle of the hammer retains nearly all of its bright nitre blue. The screws retain all their original nitre blue. The bore is mirror bright and the chambers of the cylinder show no evidence of firing. The inscription on the backstrap reads "Henry E. Hastings Christmas 1883." The pearl grips show beautiful fire and are as new. Factory engraved New Police model revolvers are "virtually unknown", according to R. L. Wilson. This fantastic revolver comes with an original period flap holster in a condition as good as the magnificent revolver it contains. One of the great prizes of the Feldman collection. This revolver is as good as it gets.