Lt. C.H. Peirce, a veteran of both the Mexican War and the Civil War, was presented this elaborate pair of Colt Model 1851 “Navy” revolvers by the Federal Guards—a unit drawn from residents of Philadelphia. This handsome .36-caliber factory-engraved set was to travel with Peirce through many later assignments after his 25-year stint in the U.S. Army. Peirce spent the next 15 years with the Lighthouse Service, manning posts in California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. This set of Colts, cased by J.C. Grubb & Co., was donated to the National Firearms Museum collection by Helen Malloy in 2014.
The NRA National Firearms Museum at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Va.; the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum at Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Mo.; and the Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, N.M.; each have fine selections of historic arms on display. Admission to each is free, and donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, visit nramuseums.com, phone (703) 267-1600 or email [email protected].
