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SINGLE SHOT PERCUSSION PISTOL BY HOLLIS OF LONDON PRESENTED TO BEVERLY KENNON, CSN

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Offered here is a single shot .54 caliber percussion pistol is a product of gunmaker Richard Hollis of London, England, and identified to a navy officer who served in the U.S. and C.S. navies.

The pistol measures approximately 10” long. The octagonal barrel is fitted to a walnut stock with German silver fittings. The triggerguard, lockplate, hammer, breech and bolster area are finely engraved. The barrel is 5” long and also displays engraving, although somewhat worn, Atop the breech is a copper inlay with “LONDON”. The lockplate also features the gun maker’s name, “Rich Hollis” behind the hammer.

Walnut stock has taken a beating in the past and shows a crack and some professional repair work. The 1” long crack is found on the underside extending from the ramrod pipe toward the trigger guard terminating in a very small, and well blended, epoxy-filled void. More significant damage along both sides of the barrel channel edges has been very well and professionally repaired. Damaged or missing pieces of walnut have been replaced and blended to the original very well. At the other end, the handle features finely checkered grips.

There are several German silver inlays in the stock. Two ovals hold the brass pin securing the barrel, an inlay of wild fowl is found on the left side above the grips, and of most significance is the inlay with engraved presentation found at the back above the grips. It reads, “WM. MINOR, LA. / TO / B. KENNON / C.S.N.”

All gun metal matches in tone and wear. Screw heads also are engraved. Condition of stock is described above. Thin wood ramrod is likely a period replacement. Forward ramrod pipe appears to have been remounted. The hammer/trigger mechanics work well. Percussion nipple is original.

The historical association to this piece is very interesting.

“Colonel” William Minor (the presenter of the pistol) was a wealthy plantation owner in Louisiana. He was from Houma, Louisiana and served as Aide de Camp to General W.T. Martin in the Army of Tennessee. He was captured during the Battle of Clarkesville (on the Cumberland River; September 1862) and spent 21 months as a prisoner on Johnson’s Island. After the war he returned to his sugar plantations.

Beverly Kennon (the recipient of the pistol) was from Virginia. He served for 15 years in the U.S. Navy, resigning his commission and enlisting on June 15, 1861 as a Lieutenant in the Confederate States Navy. In 1861 he is listed on the rolls at the Jamestown (Virginia) Batteries. Later he is moved to New Orleans. He fought the Federal blockading squadron in October at “Head Of The Passes,” on the Mississippi River (CSS Tuscarora). In 1862, he commands the CSS Governor Moore and engages Federal vessels at the passes of Fort Jackson and St. Philip at Mobile Bay and sunk the USS Varuna. He was taken prisoner at Fort Warren, April 24 but exchanged in August. He is back in Richmond, Virgina with the torpedo service during 1864-65 until the retreat. He was captured at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865 and paroled May 18, 1865. After the War he went to Egypt where in the military service of the Khedive he became Colonel and received several decorations for meritorious service. He died in 1890. “Col. Kennon's Pallbearers -- At the funeral services of Colonel Beverly Kennon, buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, the pallbearers were Rear Admirals Worden, Bryson, Carter, Roe and Franklin, United States Navy, and Captain Harrison, United States Army. This was the first time so many prominent United States naval officers took a prominent part in the funeral of an ex-Confederate.”

An additional historical connection is that Beverly Kennon’s father was one of the dignitaries killed on the USS Princeton: On February 28, 1844 Commodore Kennon died in an explosion aboard the USS Princeton during a demonstration of a deck gun called the Peacemaker. “The Baltimore Sun Friday, March 1, 1844. Most Awful And Most Lamentable Catastrophe! Instantaneous Death, by the Bursting of one of the large Guns on board the United States ship Princeton, of Secretary Upshur, Secretary Gilmer, Commodore Kennon and Virgil Maxcy Esq. In the whole course of our lives, it has never fallen to our lot to announce to our readers a more shocking calamity – shocking in all its circumstances and concomitants – than that which occurred on board the United States Ship Princeton, yesterday afternoon, whilst under way, in the river Potomac, fourteen or fifteen miles below this city.”

A fine pistol with great history.  From the Texas Civil War Museum collection.  [jet][ph:L]

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