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LOT 1189
Well-Documented Historic Presentation Cased
Factory Engraved Colt Pocket Navy Percussion
Revolver with Deluxe Carved Grip and Factory
Presentation Inscription “Presented to L. T. Pearson
Esq. by Colt’s Pat. F.A. Mfg. Co. 17th July 1868” -
Serial no. 16619, 36 cal., 4 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, deluxe factory walnut grips.
This historic revolver was presented to senior Colt
employee Lucien Taylor Pearson (1821-1870) by the
factory in July 1868, the same month he retired. As an
extraordinary factory presentation firearm, it has been
featured in many publications.
John D. Breslen in the American Society of Arms Collectors
Bulletin 85 in his article on this model wrote: “Only one dated
presentation of this model [Pocket Navy] was located - serial #16619 - July
1868.” The revolver is also referenced in the article “Colt’s Last Percussion Revolver: The
Colt 1865 Pocket Navy” in the Summer 2004 issue of “The Rampant Colt”. It is pictured in Issue 39 of “The Gun Collector” on p. 670, “Samuel Colt
Presents” by Wilson as item 103, “The William M. Locke Collection” by Sellers on p. 29, “Colt Presentations from the Factory Ledgers 1856-1869”
by Houze on p. 73-74 (also on the back cover), “Colt’s History and Heroes” by Hamilton on p. 66, “Guns of the Civil War” by Adler on p. 100, “Colt
Single Action from Patersons to Peacemakers” by Adler on p. 141. It is also described in “The Book of Colt Engraving, Vol 1” by Wilson on p. 269.
Herbert Houze wrote that on page 561 of Colt’s Journal B the notation reads: “Friday July 17.1868./(For) 1.4-1/2 in. New Pkt Pistol Engraved &
Carved Stock presented to L.T. Pearson/16.78.” He also wrote that “L. T. Pearson retired as the Colt’s Company’s Chief Accountant
& Auditor on July 15, 1868” and that only seven other members of Colt’s management staff had higher salaries.