GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
FINEST PAIR OF CONSECUTIVE NUMBERED CONFEDERATE MANUFACTURED PISTOLS KNOWN, RIGDON & ANSLEY REVOLVERS SN 1774, SN 1775 WITH LONG COLLECTION HISTORY. RIGDON & ANSLEY REV 1774/1775 36 Cal. 36. Rarely are Confederate handguns found with orig blue finish. These two Augusta, GA made guns exhibit as much as 50% orig bright finish and traces of case color. Both guns are orig and authentic in every regard with fine inspection cartouches of Wescom Hudgins. Both guns are well fit, properly SNd on every part normally SNd. Several casting flaws, often present on late Leech & Rigdon and early Rigdon & Ansley Confederate Augusta manufactured pistols, are visible in cylinder and bbl housing of SN 1775 and right recoil shields of both guns. Only about 7,500 Confederate revolvers were made by all manufacturers and less than 1000 by Rigdon & Ansley. There are few consecutive pairs of any Confederate revolvers known. These guns, in excellent condition, are about as fine as any single gun that can be encountered in Confederate revolvers, much less this exceptional, high condition, consecutive pair. If you want to own the finest condition consecutive pair of Confederate handguns in existence, this is your chance. It is amazing that two of the finest condition Confederate revolvers extant are consecutive SNd and both government inspected and "CSA" marked. These guns both have long illustrious collection histories and were first reunited by Penn Templeman of Atlanta, Georgia in 2005 and last sold on these floors as Lot 1304, October 2007. PROVENANCE: SN 1774: John W. Cryer, Buffalo, New York, 1960's; Norm Flayderman; Don Tharpe Collection, Middleburg, Virginia; Don Bryan Collection; Penn Templeman Collection, Atlanta, Georgia, 2005; Stewart Taylor Collection, 2007. SN 1775: Oscar DePrado Collection; William Albaugh, June 1954; S. L. Hutcheson, January 1955; Russell Goldstein Collection; Bourne Auctions, Newburyport, Massachusetts, June 8, 1970; R. E. Neville, Mobile, Alabama; Stanley Diefenthal Collection, New Orleans, Louisiana; Greg Martin Auction, February 3, 2003, Lot 222; Penn Templeman Collection, Atlanta, Georgia, 2005. CONDITION: Very fine overall. Both guns retain 30-40% bright blue on bbls, slightly more on SN 1775. Both cylinders retain strong bright blue with as much as 20% on SN 1774. Muted case colors are seen in protected areas with the balance silver/grey. Stocks are sound, well fit, both with fine script inspectors cartouches "WH" (Wescom Hudgins). Brass has medium mustard patina. SN and CSA proofs are especially crisp. Mechanically fine with bright shiny bores. 52863-10 JS (60,000-80,000)