GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
VERY RARE EARLY GRISWOLD REVOLVER. GRISWOLD NAVY REVOLVER 133 36 This is a most unusual gun and one of very few noted being transitional between 1st model 1st types and standard 1st models. SN 90 is the highest known on 1st model 1st type, SN 114 is an excavated frame only and is made of iron. This example is the earliest standard 1st model with large trigger bow that I can document. SN's 105 and 117 are listed by William Albaugh in Confederate Handguns, but we can not substantiate these numbers and we know 3 other early SN's are noted to be not original. SN 135 is also known and of a very similar configuration to subject here as is the next substantiated SN known 174 which is at "Battle Abbey" in Richmond, Virginia. Other SN's known under SN 200 are SN's 179, 186, 194 and 198. This particular gun appears 100% original and authentic and full SN's are found on right side of bbl housing, frame and cyl. Full SN 133 is also found on loading arm, wedge, hammer, trigger guard and backstrap where as guns as early as serial 186 secondary numbers were being utilized. Cryptic "V" is found on wedge (which is only seen on earliest guns), left side of loading arm pivot (which I don't remember seeing before, but maybe seen in other early guns), back of cyl (inside diameter, which also is only seen on earliest guns), left side of backstrap and trigger guard. The grips internally in channel are also stamped with "V". As with other early 1st models there are no Roman numerals. The frame pins are steel which I do not recall on any other standard 1st models but is present on all 1st model 1st types. This is an outstanding rare early Griswold that would fit into any advanced Confederate revolver collection. PROVENANCE: Ex-Dick Kennedy, Atlanta Georgia; Ex-Jim Williams Collection, Atlanta. CONDITION: Good to very good overall, metal shows old cleaning with staining and pitting. SN's and cryptics are all crisp and easily discerned. Gun appears totally original and complete externally with exception of loading lever screw. Grips are sound and solid with some sanding on bottoms with small putty repairs to inside toes. Front sight is an improvised blade which utilized the orig pin base which appears contemporary to use. Mechanically gun indexes sporadically and only holds half cock. Discernible rifling is found in pitted bore. 50560-1 JS (20,000-30,000)