Griswold and Gunnison

Status
Not open for further replies.
whughett

whughett

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2008
Messages
4,683
Location
Rhode Island
Do any of the readers here have a Griswold repro. Is it marked Griswold and Gunnison?
Cabela lists it but if you look at the tech sheet it states in several places that it is not marked as such.
Been watching "Hell on Wheels" season one and two.
 
i doubt it would be marked as such, its going to most likely be marked with the italian proof codes etc. (Pietta/Traditions)
a real G&G would be in .36 caliber and darn near priceless as so few were made
i love the show also
Gene
 
whughett,

I've got a few Griswold & Gunnisons. Uberti's and Piettas made from 1959/60 through 1980. They are not marked Griswold & Gunnison. They are marked with the importers name & the usual Italian proof marks. The only replicas that are stamped Griswold & Gunnison were made by High Standard in 1974, and came individually packaged or cased with a belt plate depicting the Georgia State seal
 
Was thinking of a purchase from Cabela but as I think it must be just a 1860
Colt Army clone with a brass frame, I will spend the money on something more unique. Did do some research on line as to the origins of the Griswolds. The brass frame must have been how the foreman I'd it in the opening minutes of Hell on Wheels. Also did a search on that foreman's "Wellington" shooter but did not come up with a hit.
 
The Griswold & Gunnison at Cabelas for $199 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104701680;cat104503680 is a pretty accurate replica as long as the cylinder is not roll engraved as in the picture, and the notorious Pietta trumpet grips are a little bigger than an original.

There is a very good book about the Griswold & Gunnison, The Confederate Brass Framed Colt & Whitney, by William A. Albaugh III copyright 1963. It is available from a bunch of places on Amazon.

G&Gs are 36 cal. .44 cal versions, like the one used in the first season of HOW, are historically incorrect imposters foisted upon us by the replica manufacturers. The writer and armorer for the series were either ignorant of the fact; or purposely ignored it.
 
Last edited:
Hell on Wheels has got everybody all excited over Griswold and Gunnison revolvers.
They are a CSA copy of the Colt 1851 Navy .36 with brass frame and Dragoon barrel.
Period.
Movie props and mailorder house knockoffs notwithstanding.
.44s that look like Navies and brass framed 1860 pattern revolvers are "replicas of guns that did not exist."

Flayderman says there were about 3700 G&Gs made, more than any other Confederate revolver. Maybe more than ALL other Confederate revolver makers turned out.

At one time, these were commonly known as Griswold and Griers.
I have read that Mr Grier was Mr Griswold's son in law, the company lawyer, Gunnison was the actual partner.
I know a family of Griers here in Alabama with roots in Georgia. I can't get them interested in doing a family tree to see if they are descendants of the lawyer.
 
Fingers McGee said:
The Griswold & Gunnison at Cabelas for $199 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104701680;cat104503680 is a pretty accurate replica as long as the cylinder is not roll engraved as in the picture, and the notorious Pietta trumpet grips are a little bigger than an original.

There is a very good book about the Griswold & Gunnison, The Confederate Brass Framed Colt & Whitney, by William A. Albaugh III copyright 1963. It is available from a bunch of places on Amazon.

G&Gs are 36 cal. .44 cal versions, like the one used in the first season of HOW, are historically incorrect imposters foisted upon us by the replica manufacturers. The writer and armorer for the series were either ignorant of the fact; or purposely ignored it.
Click to expand...
You sound like a man who has a great deal of knowledge and experience on these subjects.
Thanks for the input. Had done some research on the matter and knew that the G&G's were 36cal, did not know they were depicted in HOW as 44's.
 
Yep I have an older model replica of the G&G, they are slick looking revolvers. I also love "Hell on Wheels" but they really work my nerves on the guns. None of what they refer to as a "Griswold" is a replica of a Griswold and Gunnison. You can look up a Making Of video on Youtube and the so called armorer for the production company is a frikken moron.
 
I really wanted a G&G, but ultimately changed my mind to the shiny steel framed Civilian model. After I save up enough to get the 45 ACP I been wanting, I have permission to save up and get the Civilian model. But only after.
 
The Griswold & Gunnison revolvers are appealing to the eye and I can see why they have become popular. This picture shows an Italian replica of a Griswold & Gunnison revolver to the right (along with a Rogers & Spencer clone). It was marketed as "Colt 1851 Navy Reb", and according to the markings it was made in 1966.

The photo is from one of my black powder books.

spencer_navy_reb.jpg
 
Oyvind said:
The Griswold & Gunnison revolvers are appealing to the eye and I can see why they have become popular. This picture shows an Italian replica of a Griswold & Gunnison revolver to the right (along with a Rogers & Spencer clone). It was marketed as "Colt 1851 Navy Reb", and according to the markings it was made in 1966.

The photo is from one of my black powder books.

spencer_navy_reb.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks for those. Now that I know the replicas are out there and what to look for , if I run across one price will determine if I acquire it. I am a shooter not a collector, never owned a gun I didn't intend to shoot.......... a lot.
 
Wasn't Cabelas or someone selling G&G clones not too long ago? I know I've seen them before.
 
Cabellas has a Pietta G&G listed for $199.99 now. Brass frame, .36 caliber, and Dragon barrel is what makes them a G&G. Grip shape isn't exactly correct; but the blank cylinder is. Original G&Gs only had the serial number and some assembly numbers on them. Uberti quit making them in 1994.

Here's a pair of Navy Arms G&Gs made by Gregorelli & Uberti in 1960
14406-02.jpg
 
Also, I didn't see the first season of Hell on Wheels. How does the G&G fit into the story line? Isn't Bohannon packing a Remington this season?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
New Project - Hell on Wheels Griswold
Replies
24
Views
2K
BowerR64
B
D
  • Locked
My Griswold and Gunnison
Replies
10
Views
1K
Panzerschwein
Panzerschwein
RavenTai
  • Locked
Pietta Griswold and Gunnison?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Fingers McGee
Fingers McGee
R
  • Locked
Griswold & Gunnison revolver
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
kBob
K
Fingers McGee
  • Locked
New additions to the collection
Replies
10
Views
1K
Fingers McGee
Fingers McGee
Back
Top