Author Topic: Griffith rifle  (Read 4520 times)

Offline Shreckmeister

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Griffith rifle
« on: August 12, 2013, 12:57:44 AM »
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.
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

jlynn

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Re: Griffith rifle
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2013, 02:53:59 AM »
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

jlynn

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Re: Griffith rifle
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2013, 03:01:58 AM »
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.

Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Griffith rifle
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2013, 04:10:06 AM »
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
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Offline Tanselman

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Re: Griffith rifle
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2013, 07:07:52 AM »
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