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240
LOT 240
Historic Engraved Tranter Double
Trigger Self-Cocking Percussion
Revolver Presentation Inscribed
to Civil War Union Army Colonel
John Peter Cleaver Shanks of
Indiana with Presentation Case and
Sword - Serial no. 12367.T, 44 cal., 6
inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. This historic Tranter revolver
was manufactured in the late 1850s
to early 1860s and was presented to
the prominent Union Army Colonel
John Peter Cleaver Shanks (1826-1901)
during the Civil War by fellow Hoosiers
Lucien Barbour, David McDonald, and
John D. Howland. All four men were
prominent legal and political figures
in Indiana. During the war, the three
presenters supported the Union cause,
and McDonald was nominated by
President Lincoln to serve as a Federal
Judge on the U.S. District Court for the
District of Indiana. Prior to the war,
Shanks was a well-known prosecuting
attorney, a member of the Indiana
State House of Representatives, and
an outspoken abolitionist. He was
elected as a Republican to Congress
in the election of 1860. He joined the
Union Army as a colonel and aide-de-
camp to Major General John C. Fremont
in September 20, 1861, and on March 31, 1862, was appointed a colonel in the regular army. He received further
brevet promotions to brigadier general in 1864 and major general in 1867. He was in command of the 7th Indiana
Cavalry Regiment from October 9, 1863, to December 8, 1864, including during the fighting during Price’s Raid in
Missouri and commanded the 1st Brigade of the Cavalry Division of the Department of Mississippi from December
8, 1864, to September 19, 1865. Research information on his involvement in the expedition at the end of the war
from Memphis, Tennessee, into Southeastern Arkansas and Northeastern Louisiana, in January 26, 1865-February
11, 1865, is included. After the war, he was elected as a U.S. Representative from Indiana in 1867-1875 and served
as chairman of the Committee on Militia and the Committee on Indian Affairs. He also served as a member of
the Indiana state house of representatives in 1879. He passed away in Portland, Indiana, in Jay County, in 1901.
A monument to Shanks stands in front of the Jay County Courthouse, and a local school is named after him. The
revolver’s etched presentation inscription along the top strap and top of the barrel reads “HON. LUCIAN. BARBOUR./
HON. DAVID. McDONALD/JOHN. D. HOWLAND, ESQ. TO COL. J. P. C. SHANKS. IND.” The revolver features attractive
English floral scroll engraving along with lined borders and other accents, Tranter’s double trigger mechanism,
a dovetail mounted beaded post front sight, notch rear sight, “W. TRANTER’S/PATENT” Third Model rammer with
removable ramming point, “N.. 12367.T.” on the right side of the frame, London proofs, and a checkered walnut grip
with blued engraved cap. It comes in a fitted mahogany case with a circular silver escutcheon on the lid inscribed
“Col. J. P. C. Shanks”, a green felt lined interior, a James Dixon & Sons powder flask, tin of Tranter’s lubricating composition, Eley cap tin, Remington UMC
cap tin, rod, balls, and oiler. The lot also includes a J. D. Caldwell Cincinnati, Ohio, maker marked Masonic sword with acid etched designs on the blade
including emblems of the Freemasons, cross designs throughout, and a knight’s head pommel, and a scabbard inscribed “JPC Shanks/Muncie Com No
18” and bearing fancy engraved designs.
CONDITION: Very good overall as a Civil War era revolver showing desirable signs of period use, exhibits smooth brown and gray patina, with a few small
patches of light pitting, general handling marks, and crisp engraving overall. Mechanically functions, although lacks trigger return spring. Case is very
good with an absent small section on the interior, and general age related wear. Sword is also very good, with some areas of aged patina, and a bright blade.
During his time with the Union Army, Colonel Shanks was involved in numerous battles, and this revolver shows the proper amount of character one would
expect to see in a trusty sidearm carried during the Civil War.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
Colonel John Peter
Cleaver Shanks