Authentic Original Col Sam Colt Presentation 1862 Police Revolver
Description:
This is a Spectacular Colt 1862 Presentation inscribed "William G. Moore with Compliments of Col Colt". This revolver shows much of its original finish. The color case hardening on the frame is vibrant and strong with the barrel showing areas of bright high polish blue. The grips are more of a higher grade Piano varnish finish as for the presentation. This Colt is part of a known time period where Col Sam colt gifted 3 Colt 1862 Polices to J.D. Cameron, simon Cameron, and William G. Moore. All are known to be identical with the same type of presentation in script and all appear identical. Here is some information regarding William G. Moore: One of the several known recipients of revolvers around this time working in Washington was Secretary of War Simon Cameron whom William G. Moore served as private secretary. Each set was inscribed with the individual's name followed by "with Compliments of Col Colt" on the back strap. As recorded in the Hartford Courant on November 9, 1861, Secretary Cameron and his party as well as that of Governor William A. Buckingham of Connecticut and his staff arrived in Hartford on November 8, 1861, and toured the Colt factory under the guidance of Samuel Colt himself as well as those of the Sharps Rifle Co. They were then conveyed to Armsmear where they were entertained by the Colt family. It is very likely some of these sets were presented at that time either at the factory or in Colt's home including possibly this revolver. The revolver is inscribed in script that matches the other Samuel Colt presentations with "William G. Moore/with Compliments of Col. Colt" along the back strap. William G. Moore (1829-1898) worked in journalism and then public works in Washington, D.C. prior to the war and joined the National Rifles and moved from the rank of private to corporal and sergeant in that unit between April 15 and July 15, 1861. Most of the members of the National Rifles at the outbreak of the war left to join Confederate units, but Moore and other Union patriots refilled the ranks. On June 19, 1861, he is listed as having been given the rank of captain and position of assistant quartermaster. He became Secretary Cameron's private secretary. Cameron only served in that role from March 5, 1861 until January 14, 1862, and was forced to resign due to well-founded corruption allegations. Colt himself was fighting off claims of corruption and double dealing at this time as well. On July 23, 1861, the National Republican recorded that Captain Moore was a spectator at the 1st Battle of Bull Run just southwest of Washington in July 1861 and picked up a wounded soldier's musket and gear and joined the fight alongside the Zouaves until the Union retreat. At the end of the war and early in reconstruction from May 1, 1865, to November 5, 1866, Moore served as a major and the assistant adjutant-general of volunteers. In December 1865, he received a brevet commission as lieutenant colonel and colonel of volunteers. In November 1866, he was appointed paymaster and also served as private secretary to President Andrew Johnson until 1868. On March 2, 1867, he was made a lieutenant colonel in the U. S. Army. He resigned in April of 1870. From December 1896 until his death July 1898, he served as the major and superintendent of the Washington, D.C. Police Department. This colt is mechanically excellent and is an excellent Historic Colt. The case appears to be the original case this revolver was presented in. It contains an original high condition flask., unopened pack of cartirdges, a .36P mold, bullet mold, and cap tin. Overall an extremely historic and desireable set that would be an excellent addition to any Colt collection.
Asking: $23,500.00
SOLD
Antique: Yes