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LOT 3249
Desirable Civil War Confederate Griswold and Gunnison Percussion Revolver - Serial no.
946, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/bright finish, walnut grips. This desirable Colt Model 1851 Navy style percussion revolver was manufactured by Samuel Griswold and Arvin Gunnison at Griswoldville, Georgia, circa 1862-1864. Griswold & Gunnison manufactured approximately 3,700 revolvers and were the largest Confederate handgun maker during the Civil War. This standard model revolver has an octagonal barrel lug with round barrel, and a brass frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The six-shot cylinder has rectangular stops, and safety pins between the percussion nipples. The hammer correctly has crude knurling on the spur. The revolver has a one-piece walnut grip. The revolver, correctly, has no maker identification; however, it has a few of the cryptic marks found on most Griswold & Gunnison revolvers. In this case, “III” and “V” are stamped on the left
side of trigger guard extension and left side of the matching rear strap, and a “V” on the rear flat surface of the frame, all hidden underneath the grip. “16” is marked on the loading lever and the wedge. The serial number “946” is non-factory stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and on the cylinder. “GARY” is stamped inside the grip mortise, most likely in the 20th century (writer believes this to be a collector). These well made Griswold & Gunnison revolvers are one of the most desirable Confederate made Civil War handguns.
CONDITION: Very good, well above average condition as a Confederate issued revolver. The barrel, loading lever, cylinder, and hammer have an even dark brown patina with scattered light pitting from period use. The brass frame, trigger guard, and back strap retain an attractive untouched golden aged patina with a mild crack ahead of the trigger guard (see photo). The serial number markings are mostly clear. Light marring visible on some of the screws. The refinished grip is also very good with some filler visible on the bottom flats, and scattered light scratches and handling marks. The butt exhibits file marks, which have since aged back. Mechanically fine. This Confederate Griswold and Gunnison revolver would make an excellent addition to any Civil War collection! Provenance: The Phillip Otto Clark Collection.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
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