GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
INSCRIBED COLT NAVY, CHARLES G. PEARSON 9TH FLORIDA INFANTRY IN ORIGINAL HOLSTER.COLTNAVY5435936W/HOLSTERCal. 36. This was one of Mr. Donaldson's most recent purchases and was found in North Florida in 2010 in fine orig brown leather holster. The gun is standard 3rd model Colt Navy with small trigger guard, all orig and matching with a contemporary inscription on backstrap "C.G. PEARSON". Though we cannot state unequivocally that this is Charles G. Pearson's gun (it could be another C. G. Pearson), it sure has the look and feel of a Confederate used revolver in a well made Confederate style military flap holster. Sgt. Major Charles G. Pearson was the son of John Pearson of the Oklawaha Rangers who outfitted his men personally while on a trip to Charleston prior to the war. He bought 125 smooth bore muskets and 100 Colt revolvers. It makes sense that Pearson could have easily bought older revolvers as it is noted in text attached in provenance that after the war began his obsolete smooth bore muskets were returned to his machine shop in Orange Springs for rifling. Charles G. Pearson enlisted with his fathers independent company of Florida volunteers at 18 years old on May 14, 1862. He was promoted to Sgt in Oct. 1863 and listed as Sgt Major in May 1864. Charles was wounded and changed to staff and field duties, surrendering at Appomattox April 9, 1865. Charles died August 1870 at the age of 27 at Newnansville (where he was born) and is buried at Orange Springs, FL. PROVENANCE: The Confederate and Civil War estate collection of Fred Donaldson. CONDITION: Good to very good overall with mottled gray patina with pitting, especially on left side of bbl and loading arm. Gun appears orig and all matching, all SN parts normally numbered are numbered including wedge. Markings are crisp and discernible including 1-line New York address and SN's. Cylinder retains 60-70% discernible rolled Naval battle scene. Grips are well fit with hand worn patina and rounded corners at rear toes with no SN. Backstrap and trigger guard retain about 20% of their orig silver plating with clear discernible description on backstrap. Mechanically functional with well defined rifling in bore. Accompanying holster fits gun well, is sound and fairly supple with crazing and resewn belt loop from time of use. 52430-13 JS (4,000-6,000)