Benjamin Grierson's Presentation Pistol

[Championhilz]

I was at the Vicksburg National Military Park last weekend doing a book signing, and while there, I noticed they had a new display in the Visitor's Center - the Park has on loan the Colt Model 1849 Pocket Pistol presented to Colonel Benjamin Grierson. Because of the thick glass protecting it, I was not able to get a very clear picture, but I did the best I could:

There is a nice engraved presentation inscription on the lid of the pistol's case, but I could not get a clear picture of it. The pistol was given to Grierson by a General, but for the life of me, I can't remember his name.

 

[nick in NY]

Thanks for the effort of taking these pictures but I do believe that this set is a fake as a $3.00 bill! That casing is a modern casing probably made in the 1980s. The revolver's grip has to be also from the 1980s!. It can only be assumed that the inscription on the box as spurious. SORRY!!

 

[Richard E. Schenk]

Thanks for the effort of taking these pictures but I do believe that this set is a fake as a $3.00 bill! That casing is a modern casing probably made in the 1980s. The revolver's grip has to be also from the 1980s!. It can only be assumed that the inscription on the box as spurious. SORRY!!

Just for my education, could you tell us what leads you to the conclusion the case and grips are fake and date from the 1980s?

 

[tbuckley]

Thanks for the effort of taking these pictures but I do believe that this set is a fake as a $3.00 bill! That casing is a modern casing probably made in the 1980s. The revolver's grip has to be also from the 1980s!. It can only be assumed that the inscription on the box as spurious. SORRY!!

Sir, you should contact the superintendent of the Vicksburg National Military Park and inform him that they may have fake on display in the Visitor's Center.

 

[nick in NY]

This revolver I hope was just on loan not bought or traded for by the Vicksburg Museum. Someone might have stuck it to the Museum really badly then. The box is not a Colt 1849 Casing - just go on the net and look up Colt 1849 Pocket Models. This is a brand new made in 1980s casing from god knows what brand new revolver. That grip has no age and what the heck is that on the grip. If that is an ivory? grip is that carving? - give me a break. Go on the net and look at some real Colt 1849 Pocket and see what they look like please and you might just get a headache looking again at this revolver. Again I am SORRY to break this bad news to you nice people. There is a great inscribed sword with a baseball club presentation inscription on this site- now if you want to see a real Civil War presentation/ inscribed piece please look at this sword - it is most interesting and REAL!! Regards Nick in NY

 

[kevikens]

Did anybody check for the "Made in Italy" on the revolver?

 

[3rd North Carolina]

that is still a very nice pistol though

 

[JOHN42768]

Real or fake. You get an A for your efforts

 

[Story]

Hmmm. Weren't we just discussing being careful about museum attributions in another thread?