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The revolver comes in a scarce original factory mahogany case specifically made for the Pocket Navy revolver with
a straight partition under the loading lever and featuring dark green velveteen lining. At one time the only proper
accessory remaining with the set was the bullet mold, but Mr. Lampe has acquired a complete set of proper
accessories in exceptional condition, including a single sided “COLT’S PATENT” eagle pattern Pocket Navy
flask, blued “.36P” ball/bullet mold, L-shaped combination tool, Eley cap tin, a Colt’s Cartridge Works
cartridge pack marked for “Col. Colt’s New Model Pocket Revolver,” balls and bullets, and the key.
Greg Lampe provides a biography of Pearson as well as copies of various period records and
references he used to compile the biography. He wrote:
Lucien Taylor Pearson (1821-1870) was a long time Colt employee starting in 1852 as a production
bookkeeper, keeping track of contractor work. He was born in Bridgewater, Grafton Co., New
Hampshire, on Sept. 17, 1821, to Joseph W. Pearson and Nancy Saunders. Very little is known
about his parents or his early life. He married Marcia Jeannette Cadwell on Jan. 25, 1847, in
Hartford, he lived in Collinsville, CT, at the time and had the title” Col.” in front of his name on
the marriage record which research found that he was Colonel of the 14” Regiment Infantry in
the Connecticut State Militia at the time which accounts for his leadership abilities and shows he
probably had some type of military education. They had three children during their marriage, Lucien
born and died on June 17, 1848, Joseph E. who was born in 1850 and died in 1852, and Edward J. who
was born in 1856 and died in 1929. Edward became very successful and wealthy as Secretary/Treasurer for
Jewell Belting Co. in Hartford and died in France while on a business trip. Lucien and his family are found
in the 1850 census living in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he listed his occupation as a laborer and
probably worked for the Springfield Arsenal where he learned the gun making trade; they were living
with his wife’s widowed mother. At some point in the early 1850s, they moved back to Hartford where
he started working for Colt as a production bookkeeper in 1852. He is found in Hartford city records and
newspaper articles serving in city politics as early as 1854 and was also active in civic affairs for many
years. In the 1860 U.S. Census, he and his family are in Hartford, CT, and his occupation is simply listed as
a clerk. He is found in the 1861 thru 1866 Hartford Directories as employed by Colts Armory, the earliest
directories available around that time. He is also noted as being active in the South Baptist Church
on 125 Main St. and serving as church clerk. When Samuel Colt died in January 1862 he was one of
two people put in charge of the company funeral arrangements; Horace Lord, Esq., Master Workman
(assistant to plant Superintendent E.K. Root) was Chairman, and Pearson was Secretary and was likely
involved with the production management team. He retired from Colt on July 17, 1868, as one of the
important executives working as Auditor and Chief Accountant and was obviously very well-liked and
respected as evidenced by his very rare presentation of the beautiful Colt 1865 Pocket Navy Revolver
by the company. Research also found in the Hartford Courant newspaper that on July 10, 1868, L.T.
Pearson was presented with a gold watch and chain by friends, contractors, and others connected
with Colt’s Armory with a value of $190 accompanied by a letter wishing him well upon his retirement
and also noted that he had worked for Colt since 1852. It also seems likely that the presentation
revolver was in part due to an extraordinary effort put forth by him in helping the company through
the difficult times after the 1864 disastrous fire that destroyed most of the east armory building that
was finally rebuilt in 1867. It is also noted that were only seven other people who earned a higher
salary than him. Research found that he retired due to illness on the advice of his doctor to go
south, and he died a year and a half later on Jan. 29, 1870, at age 49 due to abscess of the liver. He
was buried in Spring Grove cemetery with his two children. When his wife, who never remarried,
died in 1908 at age 85 she was buried next to him.
CONDITION: Very fine with crisp factory presentation inscription and engraving, distinct markings,
75% original blue finish, 70% plus original case colors, 75% plus original silver plating with some
slight fading and a light aged patina, and minor overall wear, including slight oxidation. The
grip is exceptionally fine and retains crisp carving and checkering and nearly all of the original
high polish piano varnish and has attractive figure and light handling and storage type marks.
Mechanically excellent. Aside from a few thin cracks in the case exterior, the case and accessories
are also very fine with minor age and storage related wear. Overall, this is a remarkable and
historically significant cased Colt: the only known dated factory presentation Colt Pocket
Navy. We whole heartedly agree with Wilson’s conclusion that: “The L. T. Pearson/Colt factory
presentation cased set, having survived from the early post-Civil War period, in remarkable
condition, and with factory documentation, is well worthy of the finest private or museum arms
collection.” Multiple legendary fine arms collectors have already been the custodians of this
incredible cased set. Here is your opportunity to own the only known factory presentation Colt
Pocket Navy revolver!
Provenance: The William M. Locke Collection; The John Stapleton Collection; The Thomas
K. Hutchinson Collection; The Dr. Joseph Murphy Collection; The Bobby Smith Collection;
The Jim Eplen Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 65,000 - 95,000
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