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LOT 1207
Historic Documented Pair of Presentation U.S. Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion
Revolvers Formerly Owned by Hugh Harbison, Bookkeeper, Secretary, and
Treasurer of Colt’s Pt. F.A. Mfg. Co with R.L. Wilson Authentication Letter
-A) Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver - Serial no. 50836, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened/nickel finish, walnut grips. This unusual pair of deluxe finished U.S.
contract Colt Model 1851 Navy revolvers dates to 1856 and are documented as owned
by Hugh Harbison, an employee of Samuel Colt’s company for 35 plus years rising from
the position of bookkeeper in 1856 to secretary and treasurer of Colt’s Patent Firearms
Manufacturing Company in the 1860s into the late 19th century. These revolvers remained
with Harbison’s family until 1988.
The revolvers are serial numbers 50836 and 50840 and thus are fairly close to a consecutive
pair. They have the standard markings and features of the antebellum era U.S. contract
Model 1851 Navy revolvers, including “U.S.” marked under the “COLTS/PATENT” markings
on the frames and government inspection markings, including “LCA” (Lucian C. Allin)
and “RHKW” (Captain Robert Henry Kirkland Whiteley) cartouches. However, they are
finished in higher gloss blue finish on the barrels and cylinders, vibrant niter bluing on
the triggers and screws, bright case colors on the frames as well as the hammers and
loading levers, and nickel plating on the grip frames. “K” is stamped on the left side of the
barrels, cylinders, grip frame, and grips as well as the butt of each grip. They both have all
matching visible serial numbers. For many years, the pair was held in a double rosewood
factory case which is now absent. They are accompanied by a book style case reading “THE
CASED COLT NAVY REVOLVERS/OF/HUGH HARBISON/SECRETARY/COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO./
SERIAL NO. 50836 & 50840/U. S. MARKED” on the cover and “THE/HUGH HARBISON/CASED/
COLT NAVIES” on the spine. Given the revolvers feature bright nickel plating on the grip
frames, they were likely refinished by the factory in their special finishes around the 1870s,
perhaps at Harbison’s direction for himself or by the factory as presentation pieces for him,
perhaps upon his retirement.
Per his obituary in the Hartford Courant on March 11, 1903, the day following his death,
Hugh Harbison was born in Aghory, Tandragee, County Armagh, Ireland, on October 26,
1833, and came to Hartford on August 26, 1849. Harbison found work initially at Denison,
Morgan & Co. and then worked for Tracy & Fales as a bookkeeper. In 1856, he was hired
by Samuel Colt as a bookkeeper. “He was made secretary and treasurer of Colt’s Patent
Firearms Manufacturing Company after the death of L.P. Sergeant and was practically the
manager of the works until about twelve years ago, when he resigned, soon after the late
John H. Hall came into the control of the management of the company. For many years he
was the manager of Mrs. Colt’s real and personal estate.” He also was the senior member
of grocery business Harbison Brothers with his younger brother Alexander and was also
involved in other Hartford businesses as well as various civic organizations. His death was
noted as originating from a fall through a skylight at his home that resulted in breaking
three ribs three years prior to his death as well as a subsequent fall resulting in a broken
leg. His obituary was printed side by side with General William Buel Franklin’s but notable
comes first and is notably longer. Franklin was a Civil War general and became Colt’s vice
president following the war until 1888. In an included research letter about the set, R.L.
Wilson also notes that Harbison was a secretary and treasurer of the Union Ferry Company
in 1859-1878. Samuel Colt and Elisha K. Root were directors of the company. He was a
treasurer of Colt in 1862-1889 and secretary from 1867 to 1891. He is buried in the Cedar
Hill Cemetery in Hartford.
Wilson states: “The special finishes are the likely result of Hugh Harbison wishing to
have specimens of manufacture by the Colt company, dating from the period of his first
employment at Colt’s. The date of these Navy Colts, based on their serial number range,
coincides precisely with Harbison’s initial employment at the factory - 1856. The cased set
therefore may be considered symbols of some 35 years employment with the company, a
period in which the emigrant bookkeeper rose to positions of power and prestige at the
world’s most famous and distinguished handgun makers.” Wilson further indicates that
he first saw this set in 1961 in Hartford while researching “Samuel Colt Presents” and that
they remained in the Harbison family until late 1988. “Rarely encountered are firearms with
pedigrees of 19th century Colt executives. Although Colonel Colt’s own collection is in the
Wadsworth Athenaeum, there are no firearms which were specifically built for his own use
and ownership (exceptions being developmental prototypes and experimentals). The few
E.K. Root guns are presentations, from Colonel Colt.
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