NEWLY DISCOVERED “HIGHEST SERIAL NUMBER KNOWN” FOR CONFEDERATE GRISWOLD REVOLVER 3607.

SN 3607. In all the published Confederate reference books from the most recent to the earliest William Albaugh titles from the 1950s, SN 3606 was the highest known number. It is also noted that the handful of late SN guns have odd variations and assembly and this gun follows the trend of other noted guns including 3606. This gun 3607, however, unlike other guns of the genre is fully serial numbered on frame, cylinder and bbl where the other examples show no more than one fully serial numbered part. According to a monograph by Fred Edmunds, these Griswolds are amongst the rarest of the rare, in his opinion, having been assembled from parts and finished by ex-Griswold workers after the factory was fired by Union cavalry. There were only 2 other such guns known though there are now three with this discovery. The highest known serial number for the Griswold revolver as stated was 3606, and there are some slight variations which occur near the end of production, such as the gun at hand, and several others which will be described. The previously highest known SNs 3544, 3581 and 3606 had white metal “plated” appearance to backstrap & trigger guards, not present here. These other guns were more highly polished and hammers were made without slots for safety pins. This gun is made like a standard second model gun with normal features though Roman Numerals and cryptics do not fully match, typical of these other three examples. Markings observed are as follows. Cylinder, bbl housing and frame are marked on right side with full SN 3607. The cryptic “JJ” is found on top of cylinder, right side of frame internally and right side of trigger guard, a cryptic “11” is found on right side of backstrap. Roman Numeral “XXXV” is found on right side of trigger guard and Roman Numeral “V” is found on right side of backstrap. The wedge is SN 1827 and appears orig to gun’s time of use, though most likely Colt in origin. In his fine reference work, “CONFEDERATE REVOLVERS”, author William Gary observes that after the Griswold pistol factory was destroyed by Union cavalry in November of 1864, work ceased at that site; but as deliveries to the Confederacy continued to April of 1865, production could have resumed elsewhere, with uncompleted guns and parts being removed, taken elsewhere and finished. This observation may be further enhanced by the fact that gun #3581 has no further serial number stampings than on the cylinder. We firmly believes that Mr. Gary is correct in his observation, and that it just might be possible that these four high numbered Griswolds are among those which were completed after the pistol factory was destroyed! An excellent topic for further research! This is a fine Samuel Griswold revolver made just outside Macon, GA representing most likely the last brass framed Confederate revolver made in the Confederacy, and just recently discovered though early author and Confederate scholar Sam Smith knew of its existence over 50 years ago, though it did not surface until now. PROVENANCE: Gary Bizacky Collection. CONDITION: Very good overall. Metal is grey with sharp edges with old cleaning, staining and pitting. Brass has old cleaning with mustard colored patina. Stocks are fairly well fit, though they appear slightly small at waist, they are typical and appear orig to their manufacture. There is a glued crack repair on right side. Revolver is mechanically sound with very strong spring with good discernible rifling & bore. 8-76393 JS (25,000-35,000) – Lot 1410

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

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
	1410	$28,750.00	NEWLY DISCOVERED “HIGHEST SERIAL NUMBER KNOWN” FOR CONFEDERATE GRISWOLD REVOLVER 3607. SN 3607. In all the published Confederate reference books from the most recent to the earliest William Albaugh titles from the 1950s, SN 3606 was the highest known number. It is also noted that the handful of late SN guns have odd variations and assembly and this gun follows the trend of other noted guns including 3606. This gun 3607, however, unlike other guns of the genre is fully serial numbered on frame, cylinder and bbl where the other examples show no more than one fully serial numbered part. According to a monograph by Fred Edmunds, these Griswolds are amongst the rarest of the rare, in his opinion, having been assembled from parts and finished by ex-Griswold workers after the factory was fired by Union cavalry. There were only 2 other such guns known though there are now three with this discovery. The highest known serial number for the Griswold revolver as stated was 3606, and there are some slight variations which occur near the end of production, such as the gun at hand, and several others which will be described. The previously highest known SNs 3544, 3581 and 3606 had white metal “plated” appearance to backstrap & trigger guards, not present here. These other guns were more highly polished and hammers were made without slots for safety pins. This gun is made like a standard second model gun with normal features though Roman Numerals and cryptics do not fully match, typical of these other three examples. Markings observed are as follows. Cylinder, bbl housing and frame are marked on right side with full SN 3607. The cryptic “JJ” is found on top of cylinder, right side of frame internally and right side of trigger guard, a cryptic “11” is found on right side of backstrap. Roman Numeral “XXXV” is found on right side of trigger guard and Roman Numeral “V” is found on right side of backstrap. The wedge is SN 1827 and appears orig to gun’s time of use, though most likely Colt in origin. In his fine reference work, “CONFEDERATE REVOLVERS”, author William Gary observes that after the Griswold pistol factory was destroyed by Union cavalry in November of 1864, work ceased at that site; but as deliveries to the Confederacy continued to April of 1865, production could have resumed elsewhere, with uncompleted guns and parts being removed, taken elsewhere and finished. This observation may be further enhanced by the fact that gun #3581 has no further serial number stampings than on the cylinder. We firmly believes that Mr. Gary is correct in his observation, and that it just might be possible that these four high numbered Griswolds are among those which were completed after the pistol factory was destroyed! An excellent topic for further research! This is a fine Samuel Griswold revolver made just outside Macon, GA representing most likely the last brass framed Confederate revolver made in the Confederacy, and just recently discovered though early author and Confederate scholar Sam Smith knew of its existence over 50 years ago, though it did not surface until now. PROVENANCE: Gary Bizacky Collection. CONDITION: Very good overall. Metal is grey with sharp edges with old cleaning, staining and pitting. Brass has old cleaning with mustard colored patina. Stocks are fairly well fit, though they appear slightly small at waist, they are typical and appear orig to their manufacture. There is a glued crack repair on right side. Revolver is mechanically sound with very strong spring with good discernible rifling & bore. 8-76393 JS (25,000-35,000) – Lot 1410 Auction: Firearms - March 2015 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.

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NEWLY DISCOVERED “HIGHEST SERIAL NUMBER KNOWN” FOR CONFEDERATE GRISWOLD REVOLVER 3607.