GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
UNIQUE AND FINE IRON FRAME CONFEDERATE GRISWOLD REVOLVER.GRISWOLDIRON FRAME194136Cal. 36. This is the only known iron frame Griswold. This gun is original and complete and has well known collecting history. At the factory site a good many iron frames have been excavated, though incomplete. Why there are no other iron frame guns is a mystery as obviously these frames were more substantial and wouldn't crack like their brass counterparts. The iron frame shows the same striations externally as other Griswold iron. There is also an "H" stamped on the right side of the bbl housing which early Griswold scholar Cecil Anderson believed denoted guns that had gone back for repair and that might be the case as the arbor has a slightly different profile than normally seen with a few less grease grooves. Regardless, this is a nice example of the only known iron frame Griswold revolver. For anyone who wanted every Georgia Confederate revolver variant, this is an important one. PROVENANCE: Dr. Conrad Smith, Augusta, GA, 1969; Burney Crooke, Pensacola, FL, 1995; outstanding estate collection of Confederate and historical arms of Morris Racker. CONDITION: Very good overall for a Confederate revolver. All components appear original with possibly exception of a couple screws and internal parts which were frozen and repaired in 1969 by Red Hayden. The frame is unserialized, but is no doubt original. Full SN "1941" is found on left side of bbl and cylinder. Secondary number "21" is found on loading arm, wedge, hammer, trigger guard, backstrap and penciled into channel of grips. Cryptic backwards "S" is found on bottom of bbl, backstrap and trigger guard. Roman numeral "III" is found on backstrap and trigger guard. Metal on gun overall is a mottled gray/brown with a distinct twist seen in cylinder. Grips are slightly shrunk with edge wear and hand worn patina. Mechanically gun functions, though sloppily with well discerned rifling and pitted bore. 51957-13 JS (30,000-50,000)