SN: 15. Cal. .36. This rare Confederate revolver is one of 3 known with bbl marking “LEECH & RIGDON NOVELTY WORKS CSA”. The stamping is made from two separate dies “LEECH & RIGDON” and” NOVELTY WORKS CSA”. This gun SN 15 and an unserialized gun which was sold on these floors March 2012 are the only two complete specimens known at this time among the Confederate collecting community. SN 11 also exists but is in poor condition with original parts being frame, bbl and trigger guard and not positive after these parts. The earliest Leech & Rigdons made prior to SN 52, including known guns: 11, 15, 25, 26, 39, 41, 47 and unserialized Novelty Works show similar characteristics of manufacture & finish (though different markings). These earliest guns are not “refined” in finish, showing tool marks and nonconsistent bbl lengths not seen after SN 52. Kent Wall in recent ASAC 2011 article states opinion that these earliest guns were possibly commercial production as after government contracts, guns including SN 59 through end of production have consistent “polished” metal surfaces no longer showing tool marks (lathe, file, etc). Bbls are also 7-1/2" with no real deviation. In these early eight revolvers, guns are characterized as shorter and longer bbls, varying 1/8” to 1/4” with lengths varying from 7-1/4" to 7-5/8”. Other characteristics not seen on standard production are a larger serial stamping on stocks seen on subject gun, 39, 41 and 52 & not noted later. This gun has SNs present on barrel housing, frame, cylinder (on back adjacent to safety pin), trigger guard, back strap, loading arm, arbor and stocks. SNs are not present on latch or wedge, though in earlier notes of collectors, both parts are thought to be possibly original. There is also a SN noted on loading lever screw, this is only seen on two other Leech revolvers which are SN 26 (though it is unmatched 36) and on 52. Numbered screws are not noted on any other Leech revolvers known to me. Subject gun is NRA Good+ condition, good edges, crisp markings, solid stocks with chipped toes being better than average for Confederate handguns but probably the most desirable of the 2 known complete “Novelty Works” Columbus, Mississippi made pistols. The accompanying ASAC articles by Ted Meredith and Kent Wall detail rarity and configurations. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Lawrence Austin, Bloomington IL 1953; Gene Howard 1991; Bruce Kusrow; Bernie Crook Collection; Gene Mathis Collection; Joseph Murphy Collection 2012. CONDITION: Gun overall is grey with staining & pitting. All matching as noted in description. Brass has been cleaned with yellow patina. Mechanically gun functions with discernible rifling in pitted bore. Stocks are fairly well fit with gaps at frame with hand-worn patina. Markings all discernible as can be seen in photos. Hints of orig finish are seen in the lever well. 44797-14 JS (57,500-67,500)