GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
EXTREMELY RARE AND EXTREMELY FINE "C H RIGDON, AUGUSTA, GA CSA" MARKED CONFEDERATE REVOLVER.RIGDON ANSLEYREVOLVER218236 CALThere are only 3 Rigdon & Ansley revolvers with these complete specific markings; the other two being SN 2154 and SN 2180. SN 2182 is no doubt the finest of the 3 retaining much orig finish and excellent markings. Full SN is found on bbl, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, loading arm, wedge and cylinder pin. The left oct flat of bbl housing is marked "C H RIGDON", top flat "CSA" and right flat "AUGUSTA, GA". This is the most desirable marking one can find on any late-war iron frame Rigdon & Ansley revolver and is equally rare as the earliest iron frame products marked "NOVELTY WORKS" such as we are offering in an earlier lot in this sale showing the progression of Leech & Rigdon revolvers. The standard production of Rigdon & Ansley revolvers featured the standard 12-stop cylinder with no safety pins and Colt-type loading arm. Rigdon utilized the best Colt and Manhattan patents for his revolvers and was not worried about Northern litigation. PROVENANCE: Will Hoffeld Collection pictured in Confederate Revolvers by William Gary, pages 26, 27 & 168; RIA Lot 3088, May 21, 2008; Collection of Jim Maconkey. CONDITION: Extremely fine overall. All orig and matching with exception of loading lever catch which appears contemporary though unserialized. Bbl retains about 25% bright blue especially in protected areas with balance plum/grey. Cylinder retains strong traces of bright blue finish, especially in protected areas with balance grey/plum. Frame shows muted case colors in protected areas with balance grey with areas of staining, old finishing marks with casting flaws. Stocks are well fit, retaining about 90% of orig varnish with edge wear. Mechanically gun is excellent with crisp fine bore. 49442-5 JS (40,000-60,000)