October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
This is an extremely unusual gun in that it does not conform to other known Tucker & Sherrard made guns, however accompanying documentation suggests that this could not only be correct, but also an extremely important piece in the Tucker & Sherrard Company of Lancaster, Texas saga. Marked on the top of the barrel "SHERRARD TAYLOR & CO" (important to note that this is the name the company was registered under during the war). Made with a single barrel/frame pin. Barrel does have the cutout on the right side. Recoil shield is grooved. The brass round trigger guard appears to be a bit too beefy to have been modified from something else, although early model guns are known to have square back trigger guards. The serial number of "2" appears on the left side of the loading lever, bottom of grip strap, in front of the trigger guard, and flat of the barrel. There is a cutout in the rear of the barrel for a simple rear sight. The 6-1/2" barrel appears to have been that length for a long time. The cylinder has squared stops. According to the consignors notes, this pistol was bought at a small auction in New York around 30 years ago. This gun at the time was looked at by well known gun expert Frank Sellers. A copy of the book "Texas Gun Lore" by Carroll C. Holloway, published in 1951 in which this gun is photographed on the 10th page of photographs at the beginning is included with the gun. The picture is dark and it's hard to make out detail, however a very careful study of the picture leads us to believe that this is the same gun. The small write up under the picture states "Sherrard, Taylor & Co. revolver, serial 2, made in Lancaster, Texas, in 1862 or 1863. The cylinder is a Colt cylinder, and it may never have had an original part. It was reputed to be a gift to Governor Lubbock, who, upon departing to join President Jefferson Davis' staff, gave it to a Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals...". On pages 133 & 134, in the chapter on Sherrard, Taylor & Co., Holloway further goes on to state "Crockett displayed a pair of Sherrard, Taylor & Co. revolvers to the Military Board, and to an awed press. Were these revolvers completed in Lancaster in their entirety? It is probable that they were not. If they were, they were pilot models. These guns were finished so far ahead of completion date of anything on plant schedule, that a suspicion of their entire authenticity is in order. This firm may have been the first in history to alter a Colt revolver in order to produce a Confederate-made firearm. An examination of the revolver bearing serial number 2, which well may have been one of those displayed by Colonel Crockett in Austin, reveals a frankly Colt cylinder. Of course, this may have been a replacement by an owner at a much later date". Other discrepancies are noted as well. Barrel could very well be a modified Colt, with the forcing cone having been shortened and rifling beginning right where the barrel meets the cylinder. Again, this is a very unusual gun that certainly requires much further examination and research. CONDITION: Overall gun retains a light patina with some areas of pitting and evidence of having been heated in a few spots. Markings are worn but clear. Some screws are replaced, as is the mainspring, which is extremely strong, and wedge. There is no half cock notch on the hammer, does not appears to have had one. The hammer has a welded repair to it. Grips are worn with a glued crack down the full length on the left side as well as dings and handling marks. The lever catch is a restoration. Bore has strong rifling with a very slight twist to it, appears to be Colt rifling. Good mechanical function, given the replacement mainspring. GR
Manufacturer
Sherrard, Taylor & Co.
Paperwork
Copy of Texas Gun Lore by Holloway, Consignor Info