LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Civil War Auction #674  / 

72403

CONFEDERATE GRISWOLD & GUNNISON REVOLVER

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:17,500.00 USD Estimated At:26,000.00 - 29,000.00 USD
CONFEDERATE GRISWOLD & GUNNISON REVOLVER
<B>CONFEDERATE GRISWOLD & GUNNISON .36 CALIBER PERCUSSION REVOLVER #1567 MATCHING WITH THE ORIGINAL HOLSTER.</B></I> Before the Civil War, Samuel Griswold began manufacturing operations approximately 9 miles south of Macon GA along the line of the Georgia Central Railroad. The manufacturing facility and a cluster of homes became Griswoldville. With the coming of the war in 1861, Samuel Griswold shifted the cotton gin factory to the production of pikes for the government. In the summer of 1862, he was joined by Arvin Gunnison who had started a revolver making enterprise in New Orleans and had escaped that city just prior to its capture. Soon thereafter, revolver production began at Griswoldville. <BR><BR>The .36 caliber, percussion revolver was made in 2 patterns -- the First Model featured a round barrel housing and the Second Model, an octagonal barrel housing. The basic pattern followed the Colt Navy Model 1851 with 2 distinct differences - a brass frame and a round barrel. The Second Model was introduced around serial number 1500. Total production of both models was between 3600 and 3700 completed and delivered, making this enterprise the largest revolver producer in the Confederacy. Revolver production was interrupted in November 1864 with the destruction of the factory by Union forces.<BR>Production was re-started on a limited scale and continued until April 1865. <BR><BR>This revolver, serial number 1567, is one of the earliest surviving examples of the Second Model and based on the serial number was made in the late summer of 1863.<BR><BR>The serial number is found on the right side of the frame, right side of barrel assembly and on the cylinder. The secondary number is “7” and is found on the loading lever, inside of trigger guard, bottom of wedge and on the hammer. Cryptic “Y” is found on the bottom of the barrel near the loading lever catch and on the rear of the right frame. Roman numeral “VII” is found on the inside flat of the trigger guard and the backstrap.<BR><BR>This revolver is original and complete and is in overall very good condition.<BR><BR>The brown leather holster is also in very good condition and remains pliable. The outline of the revolver is pressed into the leather indicating its long storage. The pattern follows the standard for U. S. contract suppliers. The belt loop is present and is secured by 3 brass (or bronze) rivets. The brass finial is present as is the leather closure loop which is secured by a single brass rivet.<BR><B><BR>Condition</B></I>:<BR><BR><B>Revolver</B></I> - Overall condition is very good with an even dark patina on the iron parts with light pitting on the barrel and cylinder likely from long storage in the holster. The brass is of an even, pleasing, yellow patina. The walnut grips which have shrunk, are in nearly perfect condition. The revolver retains sharp edges and its overall condition indicates limited use. <BR><BR><B>Holster:</B></I> Complete and original with some wear but no holes or tears. <BR><BR><B>Provenance:</B></I> Turned up by Bill Carr in 1958 who purchased it from a Mrs. Webster, Ottawa Street, Pontiac MI. Noted author, Mr. Wiley Sword, purchased this revolver in 1958 and it remained in his collection until 1999 when it was sold at auction. According to Mr. Sword, Mr. Carr had told him that Mrs. Webster’s grandfather, a Union soldier, brought the revolver and holster home from the war.<BR><BR>From 1999 - 2004, this revolver and holster were in a private Chicago collection. From 2004 until now, they were in a private Tennessee collection.<BR><BR><B>Other:</B></I> Accompanied by a copy Mr. Sword’s very first published article in “The Gun Report”, March 1959, which is about Griswold and Gunnison ( which he referred to as “Griswold and Greer” ) and this revolver. Also pictured in “Firepower From Abroad”, pg. 106. Also included is a copy of the 1999 James D. Julia auction catalog featuring the Wiley Sword Collection and other material from Mr. Sword about the revolver and holster, including a 3-ring binder put together by Mr. Sword for the 1999 auction. <BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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