This revolver was presented in late 1861, only months prior to Samuel Colt's death, around the same time as a group of other presentation of single or multiple gun sets from Samuel Colt to leading government and military officials, many serving in and around the Washington, D.C. area. 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. Aside from the inscription and a somewhat higher quality finishing such as a piano varnish rather than oiled finish on the grip, the revolver is a standard early Model 1862 Police with all matching serial numbers, including in the back strap mortise of the grip. The case has red lining, an Eley Bros. cap tin, Colt patent powder flask, Colt patent and "36 P." marked iron dual cavity bullet mold, and some lead balls. The consignor has included his own compiled list of Colonel Colt presentation revolvers for the 1860 Army Revolver, 1861 Navy Revolver and 1862 Police Revolver. On this list it can be plainly seen that Secretary Simon Cameron, his son James D. Cameron and William G. Moore all received their Colonel Colt presentation revolvers at the same time. James Cameron's presentation Colt 1862 Police (serial number 7255) has a similar inscription as found on the Moore presentation revolver offered here.

Fine. 40% original blue finish remains on the barrel and cylinder, and an even brown patina is displayed where the finish has flaked on these parts. 50% plus bright original case colors remain, and the colors are particularly vibrant on the sides of the frame. The grip straps retain 60% of the darkened original silver plating and have a deep aged patina on the exposed brass and a crisp inscription. The other markings throughout are also mostly crisp, and there are some general age and storage related minor marks and scratches throughout. The grip is very fine and retains 90% plus of the glossy original varnished finish and has some mild lower edge wear and a few insignificant pressure marks and scratches appropriate to its age. The safety pins are gone, and the action is mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very good and have mild aging and handling wear including some dings and scratches on the exterior, faded and stained lining, the vast majority of the original finish on the flask and mold. This is an incredible set built around one of the most attractive of all Colt percussion revolver models and inscribed as presented from Col. Samuel Colt himself to the private secretary of both Secretary of War Simon Cameron and later President Andrew Johnson. Pieces like this can define an entire collection and are certainly high points in historic arms collecting.