My research led me from the gfa database and bulletin archives to books on confederate handguns, the family history center of our local church of latter day saints, and an on. My griswold and gunnison revolver the firearms forum the. This is not a good chapter in american history and events attributable to racism are an everyday occurrence. The griswold gunnison revolvers are copies of the colt 1851 navy revolver and were made with distinctive brass frames because of the shortage of steel in the south. Arvin gunnison was gunsmith who had been making colt type revolver in new orleans before the war, who partnered with samuel griswold for the endeavor. Its 1965 and officer stan walczak together with his partner george wildey is patrolling an area of philadelphia known locally as the jungle. The griswold and gunnison revolver, known simply as the griswold, became one. It commemorates southern production of copies of the colt navy for use by the confederacy and the box has a reproduction of a macon newspaper article published in 1862. Bill goforth dealers please contact us about this book and others published by. The first was a private who purchased the revolver new, i dont remember the unit and the second, an officer, lt. This second model revolver has a dragoonstyle octagonal barrel lug with round barrel and brass pin front sight, brass frame, trigger guard and back strap and onepiece walnut grip the cylinder has the distinctive griswold and gunnison twist lines and safety pins between each nipple. Manufactured by high standard in the usa, this brass frame 36 caliber revolver has been well cared for. Gun digest book of the revolver covers all aspects of living with the doubleaction revolver.
Operators of a cotton gin factory before the war, griswold and. The griswold and gunnison revolver, known simply as the griswold, became one of the most famous firearms made for the confederate army and today is one of the rarest. I beleive who apparently bought the revolver from the private. The griswold and gunnison confederate revolver was produced in griswoldville, georgia between 18621864. Originally from tuscaloosa, alabama, morris joined the 7th. They have a subtle but recognizable slight rear tilt to the grips, and are virtually all identical, or as close to it as can be expected for handfitted guns from the 1860s. My first black powder firearm, a pietta griswold and gunnison pistol. The revolver produced at griswoldville was called the griswold and grier revolver, and later on called the griswold gunnison, after arvin nye gunnison, griswold s business partner. Rv0200 dixie pietta 1851 navy brass frame revolver kit.
Oct 21, 2017 arvin gunnison was gunsmith who had been making colt type revolver in new orleans before the war, who partnered with samuel griswold for the endeavor. The action of this replica gun works like the original. The revolver produced at griswoldville was called the griswold and grier revolver, and later on called the griswold gunnison, after arvin nye gunnison, griswolds business partner. Rare confederate second model griswold and gunnison revolver so, if you like antique guns with a real history, you may want to invest in a griswoldgunnison revolver. David starts the process by carefully removing all the modern italian markings from the barrel, frame and. The description, specs, photos and pricing for the pietta griswold and gunnison revolver. This gives this reproduction the same taper and profile. A fine conditioned first model griswold that was probably captured by cap. These books were written for use as training aids for new gunsmiths and cover every possible aspect of disassembly, inspection, reassembly, and gunsmithing of the colt revolvers to factory standards. Morris, 7th mississippi cavalry forrests cavalry private john a. Gun digest book of hunting revolvers by max prasac. This is a solid representative example of a colt model 1851 navy type percussion revolver that was manufactured by samuel griswold and arvin gunnison at griswoldville, georgia, circa 186264.
These modifications are done inhoused by our gunsmith david stavlo. Piettas griswold and gunnison revolver is based on the colt model 1851. A civil war confederate first model griswold revolver, sn 695, caliber 36. The methods shown are those used by the colt factory to restore a. This is the fulllength version of my griswold and gunnison revolver story. Williams, carolyn, history of jones county georgia. A griswold and gunnison confederate revolver, private john. Likewise, if you want to visit an important historic site, take a short trip outside of macon, ga. Ask the civil war collector appraisal of civil war memorabilia. Whether you already own a revolver or are considering purchasing a revolver, this book should be on your reading list. This second model revolver has a dragoonstyle octagonal barrel lug with round. Firearm courtesy of nra museums logan metesh is a firearms historian and consultant who runs high caliber history llc. This interesting revolver was manufactured by pietta. Samuel griswold was an american industrial pioneer in the 1820s based in central georgia.
While not exactly an effective charging manstopper the 1849 colt, and simmiler revolvers was the choice of some individual soldiers and officers as a personal. Morris of the 7th mississippi cavalry carried this. A griswold and gunnison confederate revolver, private john e. Gary notes in his book on page 11, while he gunnison undoubtedly got. Matching makers marks on barrel, cylinder and reciever 177 serial number this is a pietta griswold and gunnison 36 caliber pistol in great shape, has a rusty spot on the cylinder and a few. In great used condition cased set including solid hardwood. Blued barrel and simulated brass frame finish, wood grips, 12 length all firea. Renowned at the time for its quality, it sports a 712 dragoontype blued barrel with sixgroove rifling.
I recently rekindled a love for shooting revolvers after several years away from the range and decided to read this book to learn more about the gun i first shot in college. Operators of a cotton gin factory before the war, samuel griswold and his partner arvin gunnison were one of only three manufacturers th. Interesting history and link to an authentic replica of the most rare civil war pistol. Before the civil war, samuel griswold began manufacturing operations approximately 9 miles south of macon ga along the line of the georgia central railroad. The gun digest book of the revolver by grant cunningham. Revolver sighting options including tips for aging eyes. Oct, 2011 with a title like book of the revolver, i was expecting a thorough treatise on the revolver, including its history from the very earliest models through current iterations. Griswold was a very successful entrepreneur who had built griswoldville on 4,000 acres of land south of macon, georgia. Rare civil war confederate griswold and gunnison revolver. This model gun has a brass frame accenting an authentic and historic replica. The octagontoround barrel was turned on a lathe using the same operational methods as original arsenalbuilt griswolds. When the civil war began, demand for firearms increased drastically. Maybe a small frameshort barrel 1849 replica modified to receive a long barrel. The purchase inspired in part by hell on wheels, the actual firearm has an interesting history.
My griswold and gunnison revolver gun and game the. The grips were not fitted to the frame all that well, i had to take about 116 off the top to get the grip frame to line up with the. Based on the original colt model 1851, which was primarily used by the confederacy, the pietta griswold and gunnison. Handgun hunting has evolved significantly over the last 25 years. Flayderman notes that few handgun makers in the south equaled the griswold in quality and none exceeded its production, even though griswold and gunnison made only 3,700 see reference at end of the article. My wife who is a newer shooter and i have both applied the information in this book to own revolver shooting and have increased our enjoyment of, and skill with, revolvers as a result. Onepiece walnut grip, blued barrel and cylinder, brass frame and back strap. T he percussion revolver manufactured in small numbers by a makeshift company, hastily set up in a cotton gin outside of macon, georgia in the early part of the civil war is often confused. The village of griswoldville grew around the factory. In 1862, griswold produced pikes for volunteers from the state of georgia. Renowned at the time for its quality, it sports a 712. The manufacturing facility and a cluster of homes became griswoldville.
I always thought that short loading levers were only used on short barrel revolvers. A historical reference for the modern collector by william e. This is an original example of a confederate model 1851 navy type percussion revolver that was manufactured by samuel griswold in griswoldville, georgia, in may, 1864. The standard issue sidearm during the time of the civil war was the 1851 colt navy. During the battle of griswold station, the pistol factory was destroyed. The label said 1860 replica revolver and i assumed it was a colt but the colt 1861 looked quite different in front of the cylinder. My griswold and gunnison revolver the firearms forum. Griswold was the largest confederate manufacturer of handguns and produced approximately 3700 percussion revolvers between 1862 and 1864. Because of its unique historic connection with the south, this griswold and gunnison navytype revolver is an excellent choice for rebel reenactors, too. I dont have the revolver here so i cannot gauge it right now. Connecticut yankee samuel griswold set up a cotton gin factory in georgia in 1830.
Confederate griswold revolver found in a house belonging to a whaling ship captain. They were one of quite a few southernmade copies of the excellent. The griswold gunnison revolvers are copies of the colt 1851 navy revolver and were. The gun digest book of the revolver online bookstore.
Bart walked to the side of the wagon and stuck out his hand. The grips were not fitted to the frame all that well, i had to take about 116 off the top to get the grip frame to line up with the screw holes without any force being applied. Flayderman notes that few handgun makers in the south equaled the griswold in quality and none exceeded its production, even though griswold and gunnison made only 3,700 see. Griswold and gunnison confederate cap and ball revolver. It is a brass framed copy of the colt 1851 navy revolver. With gun digest book of hunting revolvers, youll learn about factory and custom revolvers, plus calibers, bullets, and terminal effectiveness on all sizes of game extensive, detailed look at factory and custom revolvers. The griswold and gunnison revolver southern fox fire. I looked forward to a the gundigest book of the revolver is a fine book and should be a valuable resource to anyone interested researching, shooting, and carrying a. Confederate second model griswold and gunnison 1851 revolver. Revolver is a story about a family stretching over three separate time periods.
Grants insight into the revolver both honors the types history and heritage and proves that revolvers are both relevant and effective in the modern day. The griswold was essentially a copy of the colt 1851 navy revolver, though it had some important differences like a brass. T he percussion revolver manufactured in small numbers by a makeshift company, hastily set up in a cotton gin outside of macon, georgia in the early part of the civil war is often confused with the 1860 colt army. The factory soon began producing revolvers for the confederacy. The griswold and gunnison pistol was a nearexact copy of the. May 29, 2014 this is the fulllength version of my griswold and gunnison revolver story. I dont know if you can make a living in gunnison gorge, but there is an empty store available. This is not a good chapter in american history and events attributable to. Replica gun confederate revolver designed by griswold. Rare confederate second model griswold and gunnison revolver. Selfdefense and revolvers revolver sighting options including tips for aging eyes. This second model revolver has a dragoonstyle octagonal barrel lug with round barrel and. On november 11, 1864, general sherman began his march to the sea from atlanta. I thought it was a colt 1851 navy but i noticed some differences there, too.
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