This unique hinged silver holster which contained the silverplated Shawk & McLanahan revolver sold in previous lot originated in this holster. This original silver plated holster and the gun that it has always accompanied had an interesting recent history. The pistol (being sold immediately before this item) was stolen from a good client of ours, but at the time it was stolen, the gun thief could not also steal the holster, only the pistol. After the discovery of the loss of the pistol, our client put in a claim with their insurance company and collected for the loss. Most recently the crook offered the gun for auction (with a competitor). It was then that the insurance company discovered the unique gun that they had paid a settlement on. We are fortunate to have been selected by the insurance company to sell this rare and historic pistol for their account. We knew that the client still had this holster and so approached him about consigning it to this same auction. This rare, beautiful, inscribed holster will be sold immediately after the pistol is sold. Its very unfortunate that we could not reunite this holster and pistol, but as you can understand, they each belong to different individuals. We certainly hope that the winning bidder of the pistol will acquire, and once again reunite, this rare and historic pistol with the important rare and inscribed silver holster so that they can once again be together as they have been for about 150 years previously. The separate Shawk & McLanahan brass ring revolver, SN 1 will be sold immediately before this holster. This silver holster and gun are both discussed (only gun is pictured) in an article by Frank Graves December 2013 issue of Arm's Heritage magazine. In addition to the beautiful floral repoussé work and large panoply of arms is found a well executed presentation on verso which has the South Carolina state seal and reads "FROM FELLOW OFFICERS / OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA / RESERVE FORCE / JAN 3RD 1865 / TO A FINE MAN AND OFFICER / BRIGADIER GENERAL / JAMES CHESTNUT CSA". James Chestnut 1815-1885 was a signer of the Constitution of the Confederate States and previously a prominent Democratic senator. Even though moderate on the slavery question he resigned from the Senate upon Lincoln's election in 1860, helping to draft the Confederate Constitution. Chestnut was aide to PGT Beauregard and ordered the firing on Fort Sumter. His wife published diaries after the war that are considered among the most important Confederate text concerning life in Charleston during the Civil War. Chestnut had an exemplary military career serving as President Jefferson Davis's aide and his eyes and ears in the field. This is a unique presentation holster formerly in the renowned Confederate revolver collection of Ted Meredith. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Collection of Ted Meredith; Pictured with Shawk & McLanahan Revolver, SN 1 in Celeste and David Topper, Relics of South Carolina 1988. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Repoussé is well detailed and though the style is not normally seen in the U.S. The inscription appears impeccable and fits gun well. 52458-1 JS (8,000-12,000)