AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Shreckmeister on August 12, 2013, 12:57:44 AM
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Has anyone heard of a maker named Griffith from Louisville in the late percussion era. My friend has a rifle
marked as such in small block stamp and he would like to know more about him. Any help appreciated.
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Joseph Griffith worked from 1840s to around 70 ....was related to the Griffiths of .cin. Ohio,who put an s on his name-maybe brothers Papa brought them from England. My family (ala) griffith ic very curly maple, brass, no capbox, set triggers, app36-38 cal, full48 inch barrel, Rifles are well made, some with capboxes, and his prices staretd at about 14.00. Hope this helps a little. No way to do pictures
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Just remembered that I got my info from a member who used to live in Ft Wayne and recently moved elsewhere. Perhaps he will see this and help you more. He knows A LOT I forget A LOT.
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Jwl. Thank you for your help. I will try to email you some photos but it may be as much as a month from now because my friend with the rifle is 2 hours away and doesn't take digital pictures. Thanks again. Rob
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Joseph Griffith worked in Louisville for many years beginning in 1837. He had a large shop and made a wide range of guns, all well-made but ranging from basic to more decorated rifles. He also imported pistols, shotguns, and other related items and stamped them with his name for resale in his shop...along with a wide range of gunsmith parts.
A good number of Griffith rifles are illustrated along with a detailed biography in the recently released two-volume set of books, "Kentucky Gunmakers 1775-1900," which can be found in this site's "To Classified Forums" under sub-heading "Recent books." Volume I illustrates many of Griffith's guns in the chapter on the Louisville School of gunmaking, and Volume II has an extensive biography on the man. Shelby Gallien