Griswold and Gunnison

Tommy C

New member
I am a Civil War buff and a newbie CI collector , wannabe. Being interested in the Civil War, especially Confederate States of America history, I am very interested in Griswold products. I'm pretty sure the same Griswold was half of Griswold and Gunnison, probably the most productive gun manufacturer for the confederacy. Their best known product was 36 caliber pistols that were a copy of the Colt Navy revolvers of the time. G&G's version was made from cast iron parts that were steel on the Colts. The confederacy had a difficult time procuring steel, which was a product of the north, so they used what they had available. I believe that just over 2000 pistols were manufactured.
Sorry if talk about firearms is offensive to anyone on here, but history is history.
 
Not offensive, given the context. But, as the focus of the website and forum are on collecting and using CI cookware, it's a bit of an off-topic tangent. It would be interesting, however, to know if the Griswolds in each case were indeed related.
 
I apologize if the post is too far off. Feel free to delete it if you think you should. No problem if you do. I struggled with whether to post it or not. Your call. Thanks.:oops:
 
It appears Samuel Griswold (Griswold and Gunnison) and Matthew Griswold (Selden & Griswold, Griswold Mfg. Co.) both hailed from Connecticut. The former moved to Georgia, where he established a cotton gin, in 1818; the latter to Erie, PA, where he would produce hinges with his cousins, the Seldens, in 1865. Samuel entered into munitions manufacture at the beginning of the Civil War. Other than the possibility they may be blood relatives, there appears to be no business connection between the two.

http://www.castironcollector.com/griswold.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Griswold
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Griswold_(congressman)
 
According to this, Samuel was 43 years older than Matthew, but they are from the same bloodline. Maybe a father or an uncle. Probable a cousin though as I haven't seen any mention of them being directly related.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griswold_family
It appears Samuel Griswold (Griswold and Gunnison) and Matthew Griswold (Selden & Griswold, Griswold Mfg. Co.) both hailed from Connecticut. The former moved to Georgia, where he established a cotton gin, in 1818; the latter to Erie, PA, where he would produce hinges with his cousins, the Seldens, in 1865. Samuel entered into munitions manufacture at the beginning of the Civil War. Other than the possibility they may be blood relatives, there appears to be no business connection between the two.

http://www.castironcollector.com/griswold.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Griswold
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Griswold_(congressman)
 
Tommy here is one of my pans that’s probably Civil War era. It had spent some time in the weather. I rescued it and left the handle and bottom pitted as I found it but ground the cooking surface down enough to make it usable. It’s really heavy and the front two legs have been worn down some from dragging it out of the hearth. There is a re-enactment where I live every year in Plymouth NC. I may have to get a uniform and join in the fun. https://imgur.com/gallery/vPCPUgo
 
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