They've helped to foil heinous crimes.
They've been instrumental in apprehending
world-famous criminals, and they've coordinated the capture of key figures
from the Medellin drug cartel.
They are the International Criminal Police
Organization, known to all the world as Interpol.
The Interpol Revolver, a
working Colt Single Action Army Revolver, is one of the most important
guns ever produced. It is the first and only official reproduction of the
famous Colt revolver that is the prize of the firearms collection at
Interpol headquarters in France.
Only 154 of the Interpol Revolvers will be made (the same as the number of Interpol member
countries when this project was announced), and only 154 will be available
for discriminating collectors.
Its rarity is one reason why this revolver
will be prized as a valuable collector's piece in the years to come. There
is also the matter of its unique provenance. The incomparable workmanship
and hand-engraving that will go into each authentic Colt adds to its
investment value.A Former Convict
The original was custom-made to the specifications of David M. "Carbine"
Williams, a former convict on a chain gang. (He was imprisoned for his
involvement in "moonshine.") This ingenious man was rehabilitated in
prison where, ironically, he excelled at designing and making firearms.
Williams held more than 60 patents, and one
of his designs became the legendary M-1 Carbine. He has
been the subject of numerous articles and radio and television programs. A
1952 film featured Jimmy Stewart in the part of "Carbine" Williams.
He is now considered one of the most
important figures in firearms development in the 20th century.
His revolver, a Singe Action Army Colt was
eventually acquired by Interpol in 1968. However, Interpol has never
authorized its reproduction until permission was granted for this project.
Each Colt revolver is hand-engraved by talented engravers commissioned by
America Remembers and they copy the famed original, detail for detail,
including the butt inscription:
DAVID M. WILLIAMS
GODWIN -- N.C.
From the photograph above (click the
photograph to see a larger picture), you will immediately recognize what
makes the David M. "Carbine" Williams' revolver so special. It is the
elaborate engraving of richly cut scrollwork and Indian and animal motifs.
The original revolver was the work of R.J. Kornbrath, one of America's
greatest gun engravers.
Chiseled Relief
Imagine how long it takes to engrave not just the frame, loading gate,
barrel and cylinder, but also the trigger guard, backstrap, ejector tube
and hammer. They are all deeply and richly engraved in steel and then clad
in sterling silver to capture every nuance of the original.
The chiseled relief stands out in the glow
of silver. The faux ivory grips are decorated with the American eagle in
high relief, as on the original. And both the silver and ivory contrast
dramatically with the blued steel of the hammer, trigger and cylinder bolt
screws. These, too, are engraved as well as blued, a rare distinction on
engraved Colts.
It is no wonder that it takes as much as
three months to handcraft each Colt to the exacting standards of Interpol
and America Remembers. But we can't rush the crafting of a gun. It must be
so exact in every detail that it will be difficult to tell your firearm
and the original apart. That is the only way to do justice to an
organization which so effectively coordinates the efforts of hundreds of
police around the world to foil such crimes as murder, kidnapping, drug
trafficking and terrorism.
The Interpol Revolver pays
tribute to all the many brave men and women who have served the cause of
international peace and justice for seven decades.
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of Interpol, has to say about this "first reproduction of
this priceless gun."