GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
FINE, RARE IDENTIFIED FIRST MODEL GRISWOLD CONFEDERATE REVOLVER WITH ORIGINAL "ATLANTA ARSENAL" MARKED HOLSTER.GRISWOLD & GUNNISONREVOLVER1355.36This is about as fine a first model Griswold that you will find. It retains strong traces of bright blue finish in protected areas and is a crisp sharp gun in every detail. Serial number 1355 appears on the bottom of the bbl lug, frame and cylinder. Secondary number "5" is found on loading arm, wedge, trigger guard and bottom of right grip. Cylinder retains all 6 safety pins which is rare to see on these revolvers. Cryptic "A" is found on bottom of bbl, trigger guard, backstrap and frame. Roman numeral: "XII" is found on trigger guard and backstrap. Accompanied by a copy of a hand written letter dated 2-23-83 addressed to a Mr. Edwards (William B. Edwards, author of Civil War Guns, 1957) stating that the writer’s great-grandfather, John C. Cate of Niota, TN was the orig owner of this revolver. He enlisted at Knoxville, TN in the Confederate Army & was at the siege of Vicksburg & later Confederate Post Master at Knoxville. One of his descendants, Thomas Cate, died in the 1960's at a very advanced age and the revolver & holster, along with some swords, came into the writer’s possession. Consignor states that the letter was written by Richard Cate, a long time friend and direct descendent of John C. Cate (John C. Cate is listed as enlisting March 28, 1862 in Company F 39th Tennessee Infantry). Writer of letter, which last page is missing and lost since originally sold on these floors in Fall of 2005, was asking Mr. Edwards to certify this was indeed a Confederate revolver. Also accompanying is a lengthy Master’s Thesis written by Deborah B. Lowry in 1999 regarding a very well known house in the East Tennessee area where this revolver & holster were discovered. This Thesis, in the introduction, relates a visit to the home of Mrs. Anna Cate in Madisonville, TN, known as the Stickley Mansion. The accompanying holster is quite rare being marked in a lozenge shaped cartouche "ATLANTA ARSENAL / GA / 186". Atlanta marked accoutrements are quite rare and only a few other examples are known and other orig examples do not have the last digit in the date. PROVENANCE: Descendants of John C. Cate, 39th Tennessee Infantry; James D. Julia, Lot 3113, Fall 2005; Collection of Jim Maconkey. CONDITION: Gun appears orig and authentic throughout including every screw. This gun is very good overall for any Civil War revolver and for a Confederate brass frame revolver is excellent. Metal is smooth grey overall with staining and pitting, holster wear. Traces of bright blue finish are found on bottom of bbl and around bbl lug screws where protected. Distinctive Griswold "pointed screws" are found throughout with exception of wedge screw. Grips are sound, solid and well fit with a large burl flaw on right side (it is amazing that these grips remain so nice with this large flaw that could have easily caused breakage). Walnut for grips had to have been scarce for these to have passed inspection. Mechanics are good though mainspring is weak with crisp discernible rifling in bore. Holster still exhibits good brown color though there is considerable crazing to surface. Markings are mostly discernible, however, as can be seen in photos. Stitching has been resewn with thread and rawhide for apparent continued use at a later date. Belt loop enclosure strap are both missing but holster has been slit in back as improvised belt loop. Several holes and other reductions in leather as noted. 49442-2 JS (20,000-25,000)