VERY RARE & FINE SHAWK & MCLANAHAN REVOLVER

VERY RARE & FINE SHAWK & MCLANAHAN REVOLVER

01-29627 | Cal. 36. | S# 16.

This very rare brass framed revolver is one of only 8 survivors known and no doubt the finest of all. These revolvers were made in Saint Louis 1858-1860. One of the principals Charles H Rigdon, master machinist moved his pistol making equipment to Memphis TN to begin production of the famous Leech and Rigdon revolvers starting in 1862. For many years these brass framed St. Louis made revolvers were thought to be Confederate, but we now know they were no doubt made just prior to war and one survivor, S# 1, has Confederate association. There are only 8 revolvers known and a new serial number has not been discovered in over 50 years. The known serial numbers range from 1 to 37 with a S# 1 & 2, and a non-serialized prototype having shorter barrels with 4 groove rifling, S# 1 & 2 are maker marked “WM TEGETHOFF”, the unserialized example has no maker mark. The other 5 survivors are stamped on butt strap “SHAWK & MCLANAHAN” and “ST LOUIS / CARONDELET MO”. This is their standard model with serial number only marked externally on the loading lever, 8” round barrel with 7 land & grooves rifling. There is a single safety pin on the rear of the cylinder. A large knurled screw on right side of frame facilitates lever and cylinder pin removal. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Copy of Frank Graves scholarly 2010 Gun Report article “THE SHAWK & MCLANAHAN NAVY REVOLVER” on this maker and showing this revolver; bill of sale Jackson Armory 2014; copy of page from where illustrated in Locke Collection book in his Confederate section as these guns were thought in 1970s.
PROVENANCE: Bill Locke collection; Norm Flayderman collection; Pictured in every edition of Flayderman’s Price Guide to Antique American guns; Pictured in Locke Collection book 1974; David Berenson from Jackson Armory, Dallas, TX; David Berenson estate collection 2014. STATUS: ANTIQUE.