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    Samuel Griswold set up a cotton gin manufactory along the railroad nine miles south of Macon, Georgia in 1835.  Evidently, Sam was an enterprising man.  He added a foundry, planing mill, saw mill, gristmill, soap and candle factory and a post office, thus founding the town of Griswoldville.  When the South was invaded in 1861, Sam began making pikes for the Georgia Government.

     Arvin Gunnison had begun the manufacture of pistols in New Orleans, Louisiana.  When the city fell to the Yankees in the spring of 1862, Arvin and his machinery moved to Griswoldville.  There he joined with his old friend Sam Griswold and together they made handgun history.

     From July of 1862 until November 22, 1864, when the factory was destroyed by Yankee cavalry, Griswold and Gunnison produced over 3,600 revolvers on the Colt’s pattern.  Today their brass-framed revolvers are one of the most sought after handguns in the world.

     The revolver shown here is serial number 1486.  This dates its manufacture to July or August 1863.  Serial number 1486 is stamped into the side of the frame, the side of the barrel lug and into the cylinder.  Secondary number 16 is stamped on the top of the loading lever, the trigger guard, the wedge, the grip strap, the trigger and the hammer.  The cryptic letter “C” is stamped into the underside of the barrel, the side of the back strap, the back of the frame, the side of the trigger guard and the back of the cylinder.  The Roman numeral II is stamped into the barrel, the frame, the leg, the back strap and the trigger guard. 

     The gun is completely original in all regards except the mainspring.  All of the screws are original and have virtually unmarred slots.   There is zero play at the junction of the lug and the frame (which is highly unusual).  The cylinder shows strong twist lines, which is desirable in Griswold and Gunnison revolvers.   The grip stock is very good, the rifling is not only strong, it also remains bright.  The action is tight and works well.  All markings are crisp and the lines are relatively sharp.  It has a beautiful untouched patina.    For condition, originality and completeness of markings, this revolver is among the very best.  It is also recorded by serial number in Albaugh, Benet and Simmons’ 1963 publication, Confederate Handguns.