GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
EXTREMELY FINE CONFEDERATE GRISWOLD 2ND MODEL REVOLVER.GRISWOLDNAVY 2ND256936Cal. 36. The most popular brass frame Griswold Revolver was made by Samuel Griswold from converted cotton gin factory near Macon, Georgia. Confederate soldiers lucky enough to be issued a Confederate made "Colt" often wrote of their pride in ownership of such high Southern quality. Rare are these revolvers in high condition. This is a standard 2nd model Griswold revolver having half octagonal bbl housing being among the finest "as found" 100% original, matching and authentic examples in the middle of their serial range. This gun overall is in very good condition by NRA standards but extremely fine and among the best for Confederate revolvers. Brass has a rich beautiful dark patina with dark matching colors on iron with bright original blue. This gun is SN'd 2569 on right side of bbl housing, frame, and cylinder. Secondary number "19" found stamped on wedge, hammer, loading arm, bottom of trigger guard, and stamped on right grip on butt. A cryptic "B" is found on bottom of bbl, back of frame, right side of trigger guard, right side of backstrap, and back of cyl. A Roman numeral "XVII" is found on backstrap and trigger guard. This extremely fine Griswold revolver retaining much of its orig finish ranks it in the top 2-3% of all surviving Confederate brass framed revolvers as to originality and finish. I know of no better example. PROVENANCE: Bob Owens Collection; Don & Kathlee Bryan Collection. CONDITION: Overall fine, well fit and matching. Of the numerous Griswold revolvers that I have examined over many years, I have not seen a more honest, unadulterated example. Metal overall has dark untouched patina with strong areas of blue scattered along length of bbl with balance turned a mottled plum with scattered areas of staining and pitting. Brass frame, trigger guard and backstrap are mostly smooth with dark mustard colored patina with some protected areas darker as can be seen in photos. Cyl retains all 6 safety pins, 3 nipples have damaged faces. Ratcheting is still crisp and cryptic visible. Grips are very well fit with hand worn patina with light minor dings and dents. All markings are crisp and clearly struck including the cryptic mark, though only partially seen when stamped on curved areas on cyl and bbl. The accompanying Confederate military flap holster fits gun well with brass covered iron furniture pull often seen on Confederate accouterments. Holster is sound and solid with most of its original finish though crazed and cracking overall. Sewn edge of holster has been professionally restored. Mechanically, the gun is sound. Crisp, bright rifling with light areas of pitting in the bore. 50122-4 JS (30,000-50,000)