griswald shotgun info

[Jonnin]

I have a black powder shotgun, probably civil war era (?) from griswold, and havent found a darn thing about it on the web. Any resources out there? I can throw a picture on here if that helps, or some numbers, if anyone is an expert on the topic.

[gregintenn]

I wouldn't have a clue, but would be interested in seeing pictures.

[Guest TnRebel]

I would say if you called them ... they could give you the run down on the civil war shotgun , They were commissioned to make side arms for the CSA .

Griswold Arms Information

Satsuma, AL

Contact Info: Griswold Arms(251) 679-6896

Location:

(see map below) 5210 Hartley RdSatsuma, AL. 36572

Mailing Address: Griswold, Michael Doran318 Pine Ave WestSatsuma, AL. 36572

[Jonnin]

Thanks. I will try to take some pics tonight or tomorrow.

I will try asking the info group, thanks. Somehow, and I do not know what I did, but I missed that link in my search. All I found was that I probably needed an expert to appraise it (which I do not care about, I am not trying to sell it) and did not want to pay a big fee for basic info if I could avoid it (basic info is fine, I dont have to know the name of the soldier who used it sort of details).

[Guest TnRebel]

if you will take some pictures of it .. I will send them to a friend of mine that specializes in civil war arms for the south and he mite have some info on it . he has over 200 long guns and side arms from the war of northern aggression .

[Jonnin]

I am not a pro at this -- no matter what I did the text on the barrel would not show. It says "griswold & C new orleans laminated barrel" if I spelled it right!

Cycle through the images here, should be 6 pictures of it to show details.

Picasa Web Albums - youdon - gris

[Garufa]

Google "A.B. Griswold". There is some information out there on this New Orleans-based Civil War era and beyond distributor.

[Jonnin]

Lol the alabama company and another with a similar name is a coincidence:

Griswold Arms was founded in 2007 because of the sheer love we have of hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors...

there are smatterings on the web, a tidbit here and there, but not much. I have looked, but there is very little really -- and a lot of it is about swords, and pistols, nothing on the shotguns at all. The sword and pistol stuff is cool but I was looking to tie this gun into the story a little, and so far google isnt helping much. I called that number and they were a wee bit confused.

[gregintenn]

Civil War Preservations - Museum - Conferate Revolvers

That's a beautiful shotgun. Looks like the were made in New Orleans, La.

[Jonnin]

Yes, it says new orleans on the hard to read (in the images, its not bad in person) barrel text. They formed from some parent company "thomas griswold" and there is some info on that as well. They also appear to have been, at least in part, in importer that sold goods from england etc, and possibly (???) relabeled some goods with their own name (???).

The pistol they talk about, the tarrent or something (sorry, stumbling to remember how to spell all this stuff) was one of the first multi shot designs, I think, and you rotated the barrel seperate from the hammer, if I understood it correctly. They are pretty, and the extra finger grip under the trigger is very interesting.

[gregintenn]

No doubt that shotgun is a high quality piece. It appears to be in very good shape for it's age as well. I think you have an expensive piece there. Thanks for sharing. I love to see old, odd, and interesting firearms.

[gregintenn]

Roadshow Archive | Fake Confederate Sword

"APPRAISER: Real Thomas Griswold & Co., with an original scabbard, in pretty nice shape-- you're going to be 10,000 and up. "

When I google Thomas Griswold, the predecessor of A.B. Griswold, I found this info about a Griswold sword, and it caught my attention.

http://historical.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=674&Lot_No=72245

It appears to have quite a pedigree!!!

Thomas, Griswold & Co., New Orleans, Louisiana

"I

n August 1861, the co-partnership of Hyde & Goodrich was dissolved by the withdrawal of A.L. Hyde and the firm thenceforth continued as Thomas, Griswold & Co., corner Canal and Royal Streets, New Orleans. (Henry Thomas, Jr., A.B. Griswold, A.B. Griswold, A.L. Abbott, and Henry Ginder, principal). The firm sold all kinds and types of war supplies but are known mainly for their wide variety of swords, sabres and cutlasses. Fortunately for modern day collectors most of their products are stamped with either full firm name and address or initials of firm and address, but their style of manufacture is so distinctive that those that are not marked can be readily identified."

William Albaugh,

A Photographic Supplement to Confederate Swords

I think I'd have it appraised and possibly insure it. I'd be interested in seeing an appraisal on it.

Edited December 7, 2010 by gregintenn

[Jonnin]

I would not do it, but I suspect the gun could be fired, for an idea of its condition, maybe need a once over first but most likely it could be done. Its used, of course, but there is no rust, no real damage, just wear on the detailing and a nick or two in the wood, nothing deep. The ramrod looks fragile. I may look into taking it down to see if it needs any preservation work -- one of the "pins" is a little loose in the wood up around the barrel.

Maybe I will shell out to get it appraised in a couple of months. Glad you enjoyed the pictures. I have a pretty good line of insurance if stuff gets taken and its in a pretty good safe, about as secure as I can make it.

[gregintenn]

You'll need it appraised and insured seperately. Otherwise, your insurance ajuster will want to pay you a hundred bucks or so for a generic muzzleloader.

[Guest TnRebel]

yes please keep us up to date on the shotgun and try and find the history of it if you can .

[Jonnin]

will do, but it will be after the holidays. Got 1000 things going on this month. I found a site that will appraise it for money and specializes in the civil war stuff. Going to have to park it for now.

[Guest HvyMtl]

+1 gregintenn

DO get that appraised and insured. DO check to get the correct coverage.