Old Pistol

[ejfoulks]

This was given to me along with what i believe to be a Remington 1858, but not sure. Can not find anything on it or the maker. Any help on one or both is appreciated.

 

[ejfoulks]

I think this is the 1858, not sure though.

 

[ejfoulks]

More pics

 

[Loyalist Dave]

This was given to me along with what i believe to be a Remington 1858, but not sure. Can not find anything on it or the maker. Any help on one or both is appreciated.

So this is a "box lock" pistol, sometimes called a "muff pistol" as women were supposed to carry them within their hand-muff for self-defense.

H. Disston and Sons was a saw making company, highly successful, and Disston Precision still exists in Philadelphia today. The H. Disston & Sons did not become the company name until after the ACW, so the pistol is post ACW make. I'm not sure when caplocks on small derringer-ish pistols phased out. It's likely made around 1865-1870 but might be younger.

I'm not sure H. Disston & Sons actually "made" pistols. That medallion is the same as they used on their carpenter saws, so this may have been a promotional item, and the actual maker is the name upon the barrel. It also, with that ring for the trigger, might be a double-action pistol. OR the ring is there as there is no trigger guard.

LD

 

[ejfoulks]

LD,

The ring serves as the trigger once the hammer is pulled back, very hard pull might I add. Its unique to say the least with a brass grip and steel barrel/receiver. I'm going to clean it up a bit and probably build a box for the two of them.

 

[Sam squanch]

The disston medallions are from an old saw used to hold the replacement grips on.

 

[ejfoulks]

The disston medallions are from an old saw used to hold the replacement grips on.

So this was likely a homemade one and he just used whatever to build it.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Wonder if the barrel marking of GRISWALD is the same as the cast iorn cooking guys, neat gun.

 

[hawkeye2]

A run of the mill boxlock pistol, possibly Belgian but look for proofs. It looks looks someone made a set of replacement grips and used the medallion for embellishment.

 

[Sam squanch]

Could it be…. Clark Griswald?!?!

 

[toot]

I concur, the medallion is just for a little BLING.

 

[Treestalker]

Wonder if Griswold is kinfolks to the famous Griswold and Gunnison partner, who operated out of Georgia, IIRC?

 

[ejfoulks]

LOL, you guys are awesome. I know it was made in by R.E. Griswold but cant find anything on him at all. Doubt he only made one gun and had a stamp made for just the one. I asked a guy from the history site of Disston saws and he confirmed they never made any weapons. The man I got it from told me him, his grandfather and this R.E. Griswold used to go black powder shooting back in NY, he was too you to remember any of the guns they used and he never shot any himself, just kinda hung out with them.

On another note can anyone confirm that the other gun is an Remington1858, or if it is an original or replica? I am dumb when it comes to black powder stuff, but I am learning.

 

[user 48679]

IMO the C&B revolver looks like a Model 1858 that's been refinished (due to the blued pitting, etc)

The absence of European proof marks in your pics, would made it a gennie Remington (unless someone defarbed a repro)

 

[ejfoulks]

I know it came from the same guy (R.E. Griswold). I am going to put it under a magnifier to see if i can find any other marks or scars to see it it has been altered.

 

[jimhallam]

The "Griswold" marking is clearly a roll stamp, confirmed by the misalignment. Perhaps the pistol owner wanted some "provenance"?

I have several cased TREBLE action Tranters "Made by W. Tranter for... " Griswold -- - two of which have definitely got pre CW serial #s (many Griswolds offerred for sale have not) and one which was a presentation to the C.O. of a NJ Regiment -- - very unusual to find a Tranter with markings above the Mason-Dixon.

 

[ejfoulks]

The "Griswold" marking is clearly a roll stamp, confirmed by the misalignment. Perhaps the pistol owner wanted some "provenance"?

I have several cased TREBLE action Tranters "Made by W. Tranter for... " Griswold -- - two of which have definitely got pre CW serial #s (many Griswolds offerred for sale have not) and one which was a presentation to the C.O. of a NJ Regiment -- - very unusual to find a Tranter with markings above the Mason-Dixon.

I have not found a single number on it anywhere. I have removed the grips to give it a good cleaning and ensure no BP residue is in it. Is there any hidden places I should look for any other markings, number, etc.

 

[Relic shooter]

Your 1858 Remington appears to be an original that has been refinished.
The front sight has been replaced with a taller blade which indicates it once belonged to a shooter who wanted zero bullet impact to 25 yards. Original sights were zeroed for 75 yds.
Have it checked out & get some advice from an experienced local BP revolver competitor on the forum you might have an excellent shooter.

 

[SOLANCO]

The Disston medallions read singular: H. Disston and Son until 1871, when it was changed to Sons. The large letter A at the end of PHILADA was added in the 1880's. The medallions then remained relatively unchanged through 1917. The pistol is a nice little muff gun and the medallion is lagniappe.

 

[ejfoulks]

Your 1858 Remington appears to be an original that has been refinished.
The front sight has been replaced with a taller blade which indicates it once belonged to a shooter who wanted zero bullet impact to 25 yards. Original sights were zeroed for 75 yds.
Have it checked out & get some advice from an experienced local BP revolver competitor on the forum you might have an excellent shooter.

Is it worth anything as collector or just like a $200 shooter? Just want to mess up a collector item.