Colt Country | Home of The Almighty Colt
Black Powder Pistols => Colt's Southern Cousins => Griswold & Gunnison => Topic started by: ShotgunDave on August 12, 2019, 04:01:56 PM
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I've been keeping an eye out for one for a while, because my collection was lacking one. This one just sort of fell into my lap. I did some horse trading with a guy for an 1860 Army. To sweeten the deal, he threw in a bunch of parts from a couple other pistols. So I took the deal. Here's what he sent me.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48523806367_355b505808_k.jpg)
Looked like nearly everything I needed to build a Pietta G&G, minus a few parts. Everything that was missing, I robbed out of a seldom used .44 Navy. I also got a set of grip screws from a seller on eBay. Once I had everything together, I started fitting the pistol together. The first thing I noticed was the barrel address. I have never seen a Pietta with a Navy Arms address. Not saying they didn't exist, I just haven't seen one.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48523636996_b0ac333563_z.jpg)
The date code on the brass frame is CN, which is 2015. I imagine the barrel is considerably older, which would explain the fitment issue I had. I had to smooth out the arbor, so it would fit into the barrel. It fit, but it was really tight. Speaking of the arbor, it was short. I mean really short too. Over an 1/8". Pushing the wedge in at all, would lock the gun up tight.
So I made my usual steel spacer and soldered it to the end of the arbor. I know some of you put it down in the barrel with JB Weld, I'm just not a fan of that. Not that it's wrong, because it obviously works. I just have an aversion to using glue on a gun. It just doesn't even sound right to me. So I solder it on the end of the arbor. Plus, my way is completely reversible if the need should arise.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48523636906_f47cd8a447_z.jpg)
Once that was done, I dressed the spacer down with a file, until I got the cylinder clearance to .003" as I have seen it recommended. It seems to work, so that's what I set mine to. And it's repeatable every time I drive the wedge in. Your mileage may vary.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48523636901_9a1f081bf1_z.jpg)
And here's the semi finished product. I just need to decide how I'm going to finish it now. Brand Spanky new, or weathered. I haven't decide yet. This gun is pretty beat up. So I may go for the weathered look.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48523636971_e5f3af31fe_z.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48523805762_52edc33d0e_z.jpg)
Now my lonesome Leech and Rigdon has a confederate buddy to play with.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48523805717_233b31b20a_z.jpg)
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You done good, bro! I love the wood on the G&G! Very nice for a parts gun!
I know you want to do more, but that is very nice. Your idea of "beat up" is my idea of a nice gun, although I don't know any of the internal particulars.
Keep us updated, sir!
Jim
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looks awesome!!!
you should add my schneider and glassick to your collection...
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You done good, bro! I love the wood on the G&G! Very nice for a parts gun!
I know you want to do more, but that is very nice. Your idea of "beat up" is my idea of a nice gun, although I don't know any of the internal particulars.
Keep us updated, sir!
Jim
Thanks Jim!
The picture makes this gun look at lot better than it really is. The brass is really tarnished and full of dings and dents. Not to mention heavy staining from black powder use and lousy cleaning. The barrel and cylinder have two different bluing colors and are both very worn and scratched up. So either way, the finish has to come off and be redone. I suppose I won't really know how it will end up, until it's in the white. As for the internals, I slicked it up good. It has a great trigger pull and is nice and crisp.
looks awesome!!!
you should add my schneider and glassick to your collection...
Thanks Bruce!
You have an S&G you're looking to move? Maybe we should talk! L@J
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very interesting Dave.... classical look!
sooooo how you doing with that GU???
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Hi Dave, very nice job, looks great!!
Regards,
Richard
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very interesting Dave.... classical look!
sooooo how you doing with that GU???
Thanks Fellas!
Mark, the GU is next on the list.
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He sent you an "adult Lego set"...................................COOL, nice job. You'll have to let us all know what she shoots like.
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I know this is an old thread, but what did you come up with Dave? Inquiring minds want to know. L@.
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I know this is an old thread, but what did you come up with Dave? Inquiring minds want to know. L@.
Em, I haven't done a thing to it, except shoot it. I took it to the range, the last time I went with Hewy. It shot great.