LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 Dec Signature Civil War Auction #642  / 

25531

Griswold and Gunnison Revolver SN 2347

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:6,250.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
Griswold and Gunnison Revolver SN 2347
<B>Griswold and Gunnison Revolver</B></I> .36 caliber, six shot cylinder, serial number 2347. Some 3,600 to 3,700 revolvers were produced by Griswold and Gunnison from about July 1862 until the destruction of the factory in the November 22, 1864 battle of Griswold Station. There is speculation either production continued elsewhere or parts were hidden prior to the battle as deliveries continued until April 1865. Copies of the Colt Model 1851 Navy were made in two patterns: the first with a round top barrel housing and the second with an octagonal top barrel housing. This pistol is a second model with a 7.5 inch barrel and brass frame. The serial number appears on the right side of the frame, on the cylinder and on the right side of the barrel lug. A secondary "7" appears on the bottom of the trigger guard and on the top of the loading lever flat. The letter "C" is stamped on the barrel bottom just below the loading lever catch. The pistol is mechanically good to very good with iron and steel parts exhibiting either dark gray or silver finish and some pitting mostly on the cylinder and barrel housing. The barrel has a rainbow colored ring about midway, possibly from melting a jammed bullet. The brass has a green yellow patina, and the grips retaining some varnish with a thumb rest cut into the left panel, possibly post factory. <BR><BR><B>Kent Wall's Report:</B></I> <BR>Samuel Griswold established a number of manufacturing enterprises in an area nine miles south of Macon, GA on the Georgia Central Railroad. This site became known as Griswoldville. In 1861, he shifted the cotton gin factory to the production of pikes for the Confederate Government. In mid 1862, he was joined by Arvin Gunnison, who had begun revolver production in New Orleans but had escaped just before its capture. Soon revolver manufacturing was underway and quickly achieved a rate of 100 finished revolvers per month. <BR>These revolvers were modeled after the Colt Navy, were of .36 caliber and featured a brass frame. During the course of production, the firm manufactured two models. The First Model featured a round barrel housing and the second model, an octagon barrel housing. This change occurred around serial number 1500. Production ceased in late 1864 or early 1865. Total production was around 3700 revolvers making this firm the largest manufacturer of revolvers for the Confederacy. <BR>This Second Model revolver, serial number 2347, is .36 caliber and features a part round, part octagon, iron barrel and iron cylinder. The trigger guard, frame, back strap and front strap are brass as is the post front sight. <BR>SN "2347" is stamped on right side of the barrel near the wedge channel, the circumference of the cylinder, and on the right side of the frame above the trigger guard. A secondary number "7" is found on the loading lever flat, the top of the plunger, and on the trigger guard. A cryptic mark "C" is found on the bottom of the barrel near the loading lever catch, and on the right side of the butt strap under the grip. <BR>Further markings include four straight line chisel marks on the left of the front strap and again on the right side of the back strap, all under the grip. <BR>The wedge is stamped on the bottom "08074" and is of unknown origin. <BR>The grip is one piece walnut and is unmarked. There is a "thumb rest" alteration on the top of the left side of the grip. <BR>Condition: Fair. The iron barrel has pitting and an uneven patina. There is a discoloration on the top approximately 3" from the muzzle end. There is rust in the plunger channel and around the nipples on the cylinder. All nipples are broken. The cylinder pin has some pitting and minor damage to the threads. There is some damage on the inside of the grip and evidence of attempted restoration. <BR>Other: Based on production records assembled by Albaugh/Benet/Simmons, this revolver was probably produced in January/February, 1864. <BR><I>Provenance</B></I>: This serial number is not listed in either Albaugh/Benet/Simmons <I>Confederate Hanguns</B></I> or <I>Brass Frame Colt & Whitney</B></I> by Albaugh/Simmons.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Large Collectibles (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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