The Lancaster Revolver

There are few extant specimens of Lancaster revolvers; most of them are unmarked. All so far identified seem to be of Colt dragoon size. While it is popular to illustrate this “type” with a photo of a pistol having a squareback guard, two marked pistols of definite Clark and Sherrard association bear round guards. Discernible cylinder etching in a decorative pattern on these two revolvers reveals an attempt at playing on state loyalties in their sale; while their crude construction and the absence of a bullet loading cut on the right side of the barrel frame suggests their primitive nature.
In evaluating Confederate handguns it is always wise to keep in mind that the Confederacy had a supervisory staff of engineers that ranked among the best in the world. That Colonel Burton, for example, should be “imported” into England from Virginia and then “reimported” for the cause of the South in 1861 was not an accident. It reflected the fact that he was among the best men in the world for this sort of work: setting up factories for the manufacture of arms. C.S. engineers were old Springfield men; the officers were from West Point. Standards of the Confederate and state authorities were high; they knew what they should make, even if they were not able for one cause or another to make enough.

With this in mind we take the risk of asserting that the Texas Arms dragoons, of the pattern called generally “Tucker & Sherrard” are the primitive or first model pistol of Lancaster make. Of several extant specimens, Nos. 120, 126, and 2120 bear legible cylinder marks. These are not roller engraved with a die, but put on by acid etching. The complete cylinder bears a scrollwork pattern over its surface, broken by three motifs: along the leading edge a name (No. 126, j. p. Lawrence; No. 2120, L. s. perkins) with a large star to the right marked above and below, texas/arms and to the right, an armorial shield bearing on itself an oval, 13 stars inscribed, supported by two halberdiers; the whole surmounting crossed cannon over a cannon ball.
The muster roll of Texas state troops which went into Confederate service has been reduced to a card lile at the Texas State Archives; to Vic Friedrichs of Austin we are indebted for the information on one J. P. Lawrence:
Lawrence, J. P., Private, enlisted in the Mesquite Light Horse, Dallas County, commanded by Captain Asher W. Carter, January 6, 1861, 13th Brigade State Troops. This company consisted of 50 men, rank and file; when formed, was tendered to the State of Texas with the condition that each man be provided with a good Sharps rifle and an army Six Shooter.
Another J. P. Lawrence is listed as of Kaufman County, enlisting in the Trinity Guards Cavalry Company, Captain Obediah Van Pool, on July 6, 1861. Only a J. P. Perkins has been noted; Friedrichs speculates as to whether J. P. Perkins could have been carelessly inscribed “L.S.” by the engraver. The nature of the work, perhaps put on by rolling the cylinder across a wood block wetted with acid-resisting paint, shows the background etched out over the cylinder surface, the markings raised. Using such a stamp, it would be easy to fit in the owner’s name, thus individualizing the gun.
Of pistols credited to the Tucker & Sherrard group, the main distinction has been in the absence of the loading cut out on the barrel frame. Pistols known of this type have differences:
Serial No. 3, squarebacked guard, oval cylinder stops.
Serial No. 23, squarebacked guard, oval cylinder stops.
Serial No. 193, squarebacked guard, thin rectangular stops. Serial No. 106, squarebacked guard, thin rectangular stops. Serial No. 126, round guard, rectangular stops, lead grooves. Serial No. 241, round guard, rectangular stops, lead grooves. Serial No. 249, round guard, rect. stops, lead groove, cyl. engr. Serial No. 404, squareback guard, thin rectangular stops. Serial No. 2120, round guard, rect. stops, lead groove, cyl. engr.
These oddly follow the basic changes in the Colt series of 1st, 2d, and 3d model dragoons to some extent; No. 404 seems out of phase. The serial range apparently covered by this group, if indeed it is still correct to assume them all to be the products of the Lancaster pistol makers, does not seem to jibe with the records.
Collectors generally consider that the Texas authorities gave Tucker & Sherrard a contract for 3,000 pistols, and that according to a newspaper notice about 400 were completed. Except for the No. 2120 specimen, (excellently fabricated, closely resembling a Colt product, but apparently definitely not a botched-up Colt) the extant serials do not check with this alleged historical record of only 400 guns produced. But a look at records unearthed by Vic Friedrichs in The Texas Gun Collector (issues 51, 52, 67) suggest that all is not as previously supposed.
The Dallas Herald, February 19, 1862, seems to contain first mention of Joe Sherrard as a gunmaker, stating “Messrs. Sherrard, Killen and Brunie, of Lan-

So-called Texas Dragoon appears to be a copy of regular Colt Ml848 but varies in minor dimensions. Specimen shown is one of three similar guns found in northern Mexico. Pattern usually associated with early Dallas (Lancaster) production has no bullet-loading cut and probably pre-dates Civil War.

caster, in this county, have formed a co-partnership for the purpose of manufacturing Colts and other revolving pistols.” Their combining seems to have been inspired by knowledge of the $500,000 which the Military Board was authorized to spend; they had between 50 and 100 subscribers who pledged to buy their pistols at “$40 each for Navy pistols and $50 for the Army size.” News of this enterprise filtered back to Austin, and on March 6 the Military Board directed Lieutenant Governor John M. Crockett to “interview immediately with gentlemen in your county who are constructing revolving pistols, and learn from them the extent of their ability to manufacture pistols—whether the Board can in any way aid them to increase their results, and whether they can build guns for use in the Army.” The Board offered to advance money if this would “materially increase the rapidity of making arms.”
Crockett reported March 17 from Dallas that “There is no establishment of this kind in this county, but there are about 20 gunsmiths, some of whom are first rate . . . They are willing to go into a shop at any time.” Crockett induced a few of the better gunsmiths to open a shop and with their available tools they believed a production of 30 revolvers a week was possible.
“I have seen a specimen of the workmanship of one of the men, a very fine revolver. They are of such a class they could not be made for less than forty or fifty dollars apiece. But I suppose this government would not desire such polish and complete finish as the one I saw.” We feel this refers to the ornate etching on the Clark, Sherrard pistols, which bear the two maker’s names etched on the barrels, and the cylinder decorated. This is a somewhat higher price for these guns than Perkins was paid, if it was the same Perkins. When Pvt. J. P. Perkins of the 9th Regiment Texas Cavalry, who enlisted August 31, 1861, at Lamar County, was transferred to the C.S. Army, he was paid for the value of his horse $180, saddle $40, rifle $60, and pistol $25.