Shawk & McLanahan - A Would-Be St Louis Revolver Company

Published on October 24, 2017
Duration: 11:42

This review delves into the rare Shawk & McLanahan revolver, a Civil War-era firearm with extremely low production numbers. The video highlights its unique one-piece brass frame construction, distinguishing it from Colt designs, and its St. Louis manufacturing origins. It also details a specific presentation example gifted to Brigadier General James Chestnut, complete with an engraved silver-plated holster.

Quick Summary

The Shawk & McLanahan revolver is a rare Civil War-era firearm, with only 45-50 made. It's distinguished by its unique one-piece solid brass frame, offering greater strength than multi-part designs. Manufactured in St. Louis, it predates Confederate production, though its tooling may have influenced later Confederate arms.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Rare Shawk & McLanahan Revolver
  2. 01:21Manufacturing History: Shawk, McLanahan & Teggethoff
  3. 02:39St. Louis: A Firearms Hub
  4. 04:21Confederate Connection & Design Differences
  5. 06:27Technical Features: One-Piece Frame & Markings
  6. 08:14Presentation Holster for Gen. James Chestnut

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Shawk & McLanahan revolver historically significant?

Its significance lies in its extreme rarity, with only about 45-50 produced and eight known today. It also features a unique one-piece solid brass frame, a distinct design from contemporary Colt revolvers, and was manufactured in St. Louis.

Where and by whom was the Shawk & McLanahan revolver manufactured?

The revolver was manufactured in Carondelet, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. Key figures involved were Abel Shawk, J.K. McLanahan, and German immigrant gunsmith William Teggethoff.

What is unique about the frame construction of the Shawk & McLanahan revolver?

Unlike many revolvers of its era which used multi-part frames, the Shawk & McLanahan features a robust one-piece solid frame, typically made of brass, which provides superior structural strength.

Was the Shawk & McLanahan revolver a Confederate firearm?

While often mistakenly identified as Confederate, these revolvers were made pre-war. However, the company's machinery may have been acquired by Charles Rigdon, who later produced Confederate revolvers.

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