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. This beautiful revolver features spectacular late percussion vine scroll style factory engraving distinguished by its plain backgrounds. The engraving covers the rear half of the barrel, flat sides of the loading lever arm, essentially all of the frame, and extends onto the trigger guard and back strap. The hammer has the dog/wolf head motif. The back strap is factory presentation inscribed "Presented to L. T. Pearson Esq./by Colt's Pat. F. A. Mfg. Co. 17th July 1868." The barrel has a small brass cone front sight and the one-line New York address. The cylinder displays the classic stagecoach hold-up scene. The frame has "COLTS/PATENT" stamped in an engraved banner on the left, and the trigger guard has "36 CAL" engraved on the left rear. The serial numbers are all matching, and the factory "E" marking designating engraving is marked by the serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The extremely rare and distinctive deluxe walnut grip features panels of checkering and foliate scroll carving. In the included letter, Wilson attributes the grip carving to Charles J. Helfricht, father of Colt Master Engraver Cuno A. Helfricht, and Adler in his books also indicates the grip was likely carved by Helfricht. 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. 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

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!