CONFEDERATE GRISWOLD REVOLVER CARRIED BY LT. WILLIAM ADAMS, 2nd TENNESSEE

Spring 2025 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction

May 8th, 9th, 10th, & 11th, 2025
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!

CONFEDERATE GRISWOLD REVOLVER CARRIED BY LT. WILLIAM ADAMS, 2nd TENNESSEE

01-26222
Cal. 36
S# 3254

This revolver was in the family of Lt. WHH Adams til recently when last caretaker Cretus “Ted” Adams died and family sold it and all his guns. Ted brought this revolver to Charleston Civil War show in 2005 and showed it off, telling me he would never sell his great-great-grandfather’s revolver. Well, his daughter didn’t know about his wishes and sold all his guns to dealer. Searching back in Ted’s family lineage, his paternal leads us to William Henry Harrison Adams (1841-1902), who served throughout the war 1861-1865, and prisoner of war for 11 months at Johnson’s Island. Upon his exchange in mid-1864, the 2nd TN took part in the Atlanta Campaign in Bates Division. This revolver was made late 1864 when he was able to obtain it as an officer.

Revolver is standard 2nd model, 7.5″ round barrel with octagonal housing, very honest original & complete survivor. The revolver is very tight and the barrel has not been removed as it is still frozen in place since the war. The revolver still has good bore and functions well.
Serial number “3254” is found stamped on the right side of frame, cylinder, and barrel housing. Secondary number “14” is found stamped on loading arm, wedge, hammer, trigger guard, and bottom of one-piece walnut grips. Cryptic inspection backwards “Z” is stamped on bottom of barrel, frame, trigger guard, and backstrap. Matching assembly “XXXIIII” is cut into the trigger guard, backstrap and frame. Based on S# the revolver was manufactured early to late 1864 during the Atlanta campaign. This pistol is a fine survivor, original in every regard that Lt. Adams used till signing oath of allegiance in May 1865 at Nashville. Confederate revolvers from family descent never in collector’s market till October 2023 are rare.

UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copy of most recent Griswold article detailing production, research of WHH Adams wartime service and family genealogy. 41 pages from National Archives detailing Lt. Adams Confederate service.

PROVENANCE: Lt. WHH Adams 1864; Harry Lee Adams (1872-1953); Cretus Cottle Adams (1899-1955); Cretus Lee “Ted” Adams (1929-2007) buried in Beaufort National Cemetery; daughter Ted Adams, sold along with all guns from father’s estate to Hermon, ME gun shop October 2023.

STATUS: ANTIQUE