Beautiful Engraved Colt New Line 22 Second Model Pearl Grips Mfg 1876

Serial #19998, .22 RF, 2 ¼ inch barrel with a very fine bore with strong rifling and some roughness toward the muzzle.  This is a second model Colt New Line 22 Revolver manufactured in 1876 with the distinguishing long cylinder flutes marked “Colt New .22” on the left barrel with the Hartford CT two line address on the top.   The seven shot single action is beautifully engraved on the frame, cylinder and barrel and sports a set of mother-of-pearl grips.  In very fine to near excellent overall condition the barrel, frame and cylinder retain about 65-75% of the original silver finish worn in areas to reveal the brass frame and iron barrel and cylinder.  The hammer shows generous amounts of the original nitre blue in protected area with the balance in the white.  The pearl grips are excellent with beautiful colors.  The engraving is very well done and could well be factory and worthy of further research.  All numbered parts are correctly matching.  Mechanically it functions properly with correct timing, the hammer holds at half and full cock with a crisp trigger pull.  Antique