GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
EXTREMELY FINE LEECH & RIGDON CONFEDERATE REVOLVER.LEECH & RIGDONNAVY TYPE69336Cal. 36. This is an extremely fine Confederate revolver. 100% orig and authentic throughout retaining strong traces of original finish with great provenance and collection history. Leech & Rigdon has a colorful history starting their manufacturing operations in Memphis, Tennessee, being chased by advancing Union troops moving first to Columbus, Mississippi, and then to Greensboro, Georgia, where this particular gun was made. Leech & Rigdon had a contract with the Confederate Government for the manufacture of 1500 revolvers (on the Colt's patent) so, at Greensboro, they continued to manufacture pistols in fulfillment of that contract. "Records from the Augusta Arsenal indicate that from September of 1863 to March of 1864, some 903 revolvers were received from Leech & Rigdon, 814 of which were issued. SN 693, was no doubt, one of the 814 issued". A small file of provenance and detailed letter with other details from well known collector of Confederate arms and past curator of the Confederate States Armory & Museum, Fred Edmunds accompanies this lot. PROVENANCE: Sold to William Albaugh from Mac Mason, May 1948; Listed and pictured in William Albaugh's book Confederate Bass-Framed Colt and Whitney 1955; Pictured in Albaugh's 1963 text, Confederate Handguns on pg 13. Pictured on pg 15, issue 36, in The Texas Gun Collector, credited to collection of Harry Brooks; Damon Mills, 1991; Ray Davenport; Fred Edmunds, 2003. CONDITION: Gun overall is fine and truly excellent for a surviving Confederate revolver sharp crisp edges retaining strong traces blue finish in protected areas in well under bbl, with remainder of iron a matching brown/gray. Matching SNs are found on bbl, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, loading assembly, loading lever catch, cylinder pin, and wedge. Frame has a manufacturing brazed sliver at its base which has only been noted in this particular example as seen in photos. Iron frames on Leech & Rigdon often show casting flaws and as Fred Edmund's noted, this unique repair in manufacture was "...not a distraction, but rather a proud badge of Confederate ingenuity in their manufacturing processes". A cryptic of 4 punch marks in square is found on bottom trigger guard. "LEECH & RIGDON CSA" markings are as crisp as they are found with the normal broken dies as can be seen in photographs. Brass is smooth with mustard colored patina. Grips are sound, solid and well fit. Gun is mechanically excellent with crisp well defined rifling in bore. 50029-1 JS (20,000-30,000)