This is one of the best Colt Model 1851 type percussion revolvers manufactured by Samuel Griswold and Arvin Gunnison we have seen! Griswold & Gunnison, the largest Confederate handgun maker during the Civil War, manufactured approximately 3,700 revolvers. During the Battle of Griswold Station, the pistol factory was destroyed by the 10th Ohio Cavalry and 3rd Kentucky Cavalry. Although production ceased in late 1864, the Confederacy continued to receive these revolvers as late as April 1865. Completed and uncompleted revolvers were likely moved before the plant was destroyed and were later assembled at another location. The Griswold and Gunnison revolver is easily identifiable and possibly the most popular of all Confederate side arms. Adding to the rarity is the fact that this revolver is identified to a Confederate private. This beautiful, all matching example comes with a notarized affidavit/letter of provenance identifying it as having been carried by J.W. Overstreet, a private in Captain Newbern's Company of Cavalry, Georgia Local Defense Troops (Coffee Revengers), and having been handed down through the Overstreet family. According to the affidavit, Overstreet was born in Burke County, GA on October 27, 1822, and died on March 6, 1900. He is buried in the Old TyTy Church cemetery in Tift County, GA. A Private J.W. Overstreet is listed in the National Park Service's Civil War soldier and sailor database as serving with Newbern's Company. More information related to Overstreet's life appears in his March 1900 obituary that referenced him as a judge, a father of 14 children and "one of the most prominent citizens of this section of the state." Newbern's Company was organized on July 27, 1863 for six months as local defense in an area "beginning at the mouth of the Altamaha River and up that river and thence Ocmulgee to Hawkinsville, thence to Florence on the Chattahoochee River, then to the coast and back again to the Altamaha." This area was of great strategic importance to the Confederacy. Fought during Sherman's March to the Sea on December 19, 1864, in Wayne County, Georgia, the Battle of Altamaha Bridge, also known as the Battle for the Doctortown Railroad Trestle, was a Confederate victory that prevented Union forces from destroying a vital railroad bridge over the Altamaha River. The Union defeat allowed Confederate forces to keep open a vital supply line to Savannah. The revolver has the distinctive brass frame and grip straps, 6-shot cylinder, safety pins between the percussion nipples, one-piece walnut grip, and matching numbers on the right side of the frame, right side of the barrel lug, cylinder, loading lever ("11") and trigger guard ("11"). The well made, widely issued Griswold & Gunnison revolver is one of the most desirable Confederate made Civil War handguns.

Fine. This is one of the most attractive and untouched examples ever brought to market. It would be considered "attic mint" by Confederate collectors! The barrel, hammer and cylinder have an extremely deep and natural untouched brown patina. The brass has an attractive, untouched, deep aged patina. The edges are sharp. With the possible exception of the wedge screw, the revolver is all original. The tight fitting grip shows edge wear and some minor handing marks. The mainspring is weak, but the action cycles properly. Overall, a rare Confederate handgun showing little service issue, just natural aging. It is one of the best Confederate handguns we have ever cataloged! A museum quality specimen that is a must have for the serious Civil War collector!