Manufactured in 1861, this first year production Colt Model 1862 Police percussion revolver serial number 13 bears a Col. Samuel Colt presentation inscription. The back strap has the inscription which reads, "Wm. W. McFarland Esqr/with Col. Colt's Compliments." It is known that Colt revolvers were specially inscribed and presented by Samuel Colt to government officials, military leaders, business associates and personal friends. It is important to note Samuel Colt died on January 10 of 1862 making this gun certainly one of his last presentation revolvers if no his last. U.S. government documents identify a William W. McFarland as a justice of the peace during the Civil War. In 1863, McFarland presided over the signing of a contract between the Colt company and the U.S. government for the delivery of 50,000 rifle-muskets. At the time, E.K. Root had been serving as president of Colt since Samuel's death in 1862. Colt has a long standing tradition of supplying the U.S. military with arms that dates back to the acquisition of the Walker revolver. At the peak of Civil War production, for instance, Colt employed 1,500 employees and turned out 150,000 small arms in a single year. It is not unreasonable to conclude that McFarland had prior dealings with the Colt company when Samuel was still alive. The very low two digit serial number is stamped on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, loading lever (left side) and wedge. There are several features on this revolver that distinguish it from later production models and include the following: serialized loading lever, larger serial number font, frame devoid of the "COLTS/PATENT" marking, recoil shield without the capping groove, larger loading slot and the "PAT. SEPT. 10th 1850" marking absent. The top of the barrel has the early sought after one-line Hartford address flanked by dashes (double stamped). Fitted with a smooth, varnished walnut grip. The partitioned case is lined in velvet and contains a single face Colt's patent eagle flask, combination tool, two cavity bullet mold marked "COLT'S/PATENT" and "36P," lead rounds and J. Goldmark percussion cap tin.

Fine. The barrel and cylinder retain 30% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown-gray patina. Traces of original case colors remain on the frame and hammer. The grip straps retain 40% original silver plating. The grip is fine showing some high edge wear, a long shallow pressure dent and some minor handling marks with most of the varnish remaining. Mechanically fine. The case is very good with minor handling/storage marks and faded lining with high spot wear. Colt revolvers inscribed and presented by Samuel Colt are among the most desirable of all Colt percussion revolvers and given the timing of the presentation it very possible this is the last gun presented by Samuel Colt himself.