THE EARLIEST KNOWN CONFEDERATE GRISWOLD REVOLVER.

THE EARLIEST KNOWN CONFEDERATE GRISWOLD REVOLVER. SN 8. Cal. 36. You are bidding on the rarest of all Griswold revolvers. Not only is the SN 8 the lowest SN known for a Griswold revolver it is one of only three known First Model First Types. The other First Model First Types known are SN 64 and 90. SN 64 belonged to Confederate General Lafayette McLaws. The most distinctive external feature of the First Model First Type is the small size triggerguard, more closely approximating the size of the Colt Navy that Sam Griswold was copying. William Albaugh, in his book “Confederate Handguns”, tells of the frustration of Griswold in the production of his first guns. Griswold obviously had considerable trouble at first and a large number of discards. Like other First Model First Type revolvers SN were found externally on bbl, cylinder, frame, triggerguard and backstrap, much like Colt Navy. Later production Griswold’s do not have external SN on frame, trigger guards and backstraps. The earliest cryptic mark which occurs on this gun and at least one of the other First Model First Types is a “H” without the connecting bar, almost appearing to be “11”. This same cryptic is commonly seen on the right hand flat of frames of many late First Model and Second Model revolvers. Cecil Anderson published an old article saying he thought this marking stood for an inspector who had repaired revolvers. This gun appears original and authentic throughout, having two contemporary repairs, as can be seen in photos, one repair being an iron pin through the recoil shields to stabilize arbor or base pin. The base pin rotating was a problem in early Griswold revolvers as a wedge placed at pin base in frame was implemented in later models. Another problem later remedied in Griswolds was the casting of pins to attach brass frame to steel bbl housing. These early First Model First Type utilized separate inserted steel pins which obviously did not work well as can be seen in this contemporary repair by addition of a folded piece of steel inserted into frame and wrapped around bbl housing. This contemporary repair obviously made this gun usable again. Even with these contemporary repairs to gun to keep it serviceable it is still a very attractive gun with untouched brass with rich patina, smooth steel surfaces with crisply marked SN and cryptics. This is your only opportunity to buy a First Model, First Type Griswold revolver and also the earliest SN known in Griswold revolvers. We are told SN 64 and 90 are not for sale and in permanent collections. The survival rate on these first hundred or so Griswolds is quite rare, as seen in only 3 known specimens. Survival on later guns is many multiples of this 3% figure noted here. CONDITION: Metal surfaces are gray/brown with scattered pitting, nicks and gouges. Wedge was not looked at as it will not come out of gun but appears original to its time of use. Stocks are very good with traces of varnish. Brass frame, trigger guard and backstrap exhibit nice patina. Gun action does not work. 4-35577 JS43 (35,000-45,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2008

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2509	$31,050.00	THE EARLIEST KNOWN CONFEDERATE GRISWOLD REVOLVER. SN 8. Cal. 36. You are bidding on the rarest of all Griswold revolvers. Not only is the SN 8 the lowest SN known for a Griswold revolver it is one of only three known First Model First Types. The other First Model First Types known are SN 64 and 90. SN 64 belonged to Confederate General Lafayette McLaws. The most distinctive external feature of the First Model First Type is the small size triggerguard, more closely approximating the size of the Colt Navy that Sam Griswold was copying. William Albaugh, in his book “Confederate Handguns”, tells of the frustration of Griswold in the production of his first guns. Griswold obviously had considerable trouble at first and a large number of discards. Like other First Model First Type revolvers SN were found externally on bbl, cylinder, frame, triggerguard and backstrap, much like Colt Navy. Later production Griswold’s do not have external SN on frame, trigger guards and backstraps. The earliest cryptic mark which occurs on this gun and at least one of the other First Model First Types is a “H” without the connecting bar, almost appearing to be “11”. This same cryptic is commonly seen on the right hand flat of frames of many late First Model and Second Model revolvers. Cecil Anderson published an old article saying he thought this marking stood for an inspector who had repaired revolvers. This gun appears original and authentic throughout, having two contemporary repairs, as can be seen in photos, one repair being an iron pin through the recoil shields to stabilize arbor or base pin. The base pin rotating was a problem in early Griswold revolvers as a wedge placed at pin base in frame was implemented in later models. Another problem later remedied in Griswolds was the casting of pins to attach brass frame to steel bbl housing. These early First Model First Type utilized separate inserted steel pins which obviously did not work well as can be seen in this contemporary repair by addition of a folded piece of steel inserted into frame and wrapped around bbl housing. This contemporary repair obviously made this gun usable again. Even with these contemporary repairs to gun to keep it serviceable it is still a very attractive gun with untouched brass with rich patina, smooth steel surfaces with crisply marked SN and cryptics. This is your only opportunity to buy a First Model, First Type Griswold revolver and also the earliest SN known in Griswold revolvers. We are told SN 64 and 90 are not for sale and in permanent collections. The survival rate on these first hundred or so Griswolds is quite rare, as seen in only 3 known specimens. Survival on later guns is many multiples of this 3% figure noted here. CONDITION: Metal surfaces are gray/brown with scattered pitting, nicks and gouges. Wedge was not looked at as it will not come out of gun but appears original to its time of use. Stocks are very good with traces of varnish. Brass frame, trigger guard and backstrap exhibit nice patina. Gun action does not work. 4-35577 JS43 (35,000-45,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2008 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}