Historic Cased and Inscribed Reid Phoenix Pocket Revolver Model 2, Presented to Dorman B. Eaton by James P. Fitch Associated with the Phoenix

Serial no. 1344, .32 rimfire caliber, 7 shot, 6-inch octagonal barrel marked on top: JAMES P. FITCH N.Y. PHOENIX REVOLVER; blued finish, with case-hardened hammer; ivory grips, the right panel inscribed in script: "D.B. Eaton Esq./FROM/Jms. P. Fitch./Nov. 12, 1862." Revolver made with ejector rod. Varnished walnut case, the lid inlaid with scalloped brass plaque, inscribed in script: "D.B. Eaton." Lined in burgundy velvet, with packet of 50 cartridges, .30 caliber-long by UMC Co.; one loose cartridge, key and small screwdriver.

Condition: Fine. 45% blue, balance gray; 50% case-hardening on hammer; mellow patina to ivory; inscription fine. Case and accessories fine, light marks outside; light wear and stains inside; cartridge box opened, presently sealed in plastic wrapper.

Provenance: Karl Moldenhauer

Accompanied by hand-written note in ink referring to Captain Eaton and his coming to New York, dated July 24, 1865, plus typed page quotation from Encyclopedia Britannica, vol. 7, page 1877 (1945 edition) on Dorman Bridgman Eaton, American lawyer (1823-1899), providing history. Includes note on his role in "the fight against [Boss] Tweed and his followers, by one of whom he was assaulted . . . ." Eaton served as a member of the "first U.S. civil service commission. In 1877, at the request of Pres. Hayes, he made a careful study of the British civil service . . . . He drafted the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883, and later became a member of the new commission established by it . . . ." With his law degree from Harvard (class 1850), and admission to the bar in New York City, he was prominent also as an author, and a privately printed volume on his life was published in 1900. Eaton is also believed to have been an officer with the Union in the Civil War.

Estimate: $10000 - $15000