GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE "AUGUSTA GA CSA" MARKED RIDGON & ANSLEY REVOLVER.R&ANAVY168936Cal. 36. There are 18 known early model Rigdon & Ansley's with the "AUGUSTA, GA CSA" address. This is the highest SN noted with this marking. This is a really fine all matching example. Sometime in late November or early December of 1862, the firm of Leech & Rigdon, then located in Columbus, Mississippi, contracted with the Confederate Government to manufacture 1500 percussion revolvers of the Colt patent design. With Union troops threatening the Columbus area, Leech & Rigdon moved its operation (its third move) to Greensboro, Georgia, where they began turning out revolvers in March of 1863. Approximately 1000 revolvers were produced at Greensboro, before it was again necessary to move because of Yankee pressure in the area. The Leech & Rigdon partnership was dissolved in December of 1863, and Rigdon took all the gun-making machinery with him, moved to Augusta, Georgia (the fourth and last move) forming a new partnership with Jesse Ansley. Rigdon & Ansley assumed the responsibility of completing the original Leech & Rigdon contract, by manufacturing the remaining 500 revolvers of that model, then going on with a new contract to furnish 1500 Rigdon & Ansley revolvers. While the Rigdon & Ansley revolvers were practically identical in design to the Leech & Rigdons, there were some changes made which were considered improvements at the time. The most obvious change was the addition of six (6) more cylinder stops in the Rigdon & Ansley, and the omission of the locking pins on the rear shoulders of the cylinder. This was thought to be a safety improvement in that it allowed the cylinder to be locked in place with the hammer resting between the percussion nipples. An additional change was the milling-out of a groove in the recoil shield, which has now come to be called a "cap release groove," which allowed spent percussion caps an easier exit from the frame, so that they were expelled via the groove at the right top side of the recoil shields as the cylinder rotated to the right in the firing and re-cocking procedure, after each round was fired. The final change from the Leech & Rigdon, was the employment of a 'Colt-type' loading lever latching assembly, rather than the Leech & Rigdon's ball-type catch. This example has fine lines and aesthetics and is possibly the finest example of the "AUGUSTA GA CSA" marked Rigdon and Ansley. PROVENANCE: Fred Slaton Collection; R.E. Neville; Don & Kathlee Bryan Collection. CONDITION: Fine to very fine overall. Markings including SNs that are all discernible and mostly crisp with exception of lightly stamped "AUGUSTA" where first 2 letters are weak but discernible. Note the "double stamp" on a rebound strike in the "AUGUSTA GA" stamp that is noted on all original examples examined. SN 1689 is found on bbl, loading arm, bbl catch, wedge, arbor, cyl, frame, trigger guard, backstrap and penciled on backstrap channel of grips. Cryptic "W" is found stamped on left rear of trigger guard web. Bbl retains about 10% bright blue finish especially in protected areas with the balance being mostly mottled plum color. Bbl housing has several dings and nicks around the wedge slot and several light dents on top of bbl housing around markings as can be seen in photos. Front sight has tool marks and though appearing original is slightly more elongated than the typical Leech post; regardless, this silver plated brass post sight appears contemporary to its time of use in the Confederacy. Cyl has overall dark gray/plum color with pin-prick pitting and an almost undetectable repair to a crack in one chamber. Frame, hammer and loading arm have hints of case colors with balance a mottled silver/gray overall with some areas of dark gray/plum. Left side of the frame has tool marks and there is small crack in frame adjacent internally. Brass backstrap and trigger guard have light to dark mustard patina and an indiscernible set of initials are scratched on buttstrap. Grips fit very well with a hand worn patina; "WH" (Wescon Hudgins) inspector's cartouche is lightly struck on the butt of the wooden grips but discernible with a few small scratches and dents. Mechanically the gun cocks but cyl only turns and locks intermittently. Bore exhibits crisp rifling. Accompanying Confederate flap holster is overall very good to fine condition retaining most of its original finish with crazing and cracking mostly on flap area. Leather tab closure is professional restoration as is sewn edge. Holster fits revolver well. 50122-13 JS (30,000-40,000)