GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
FINE RIGDON & ANSLEY CONFEDERATE REVOLVER.RIGDON & ANSLEYNAVY TYPE179336Cal. 36. All SNs on this revolver are stamped with the correct small number dies. It is also to be noted that the number "1" is a broken die which became broken at pistol #1237, continuing to be used through the small-die run to R&A pistol #1900, or thereabouts. This gun has cryptic "W" stamped on the front left side of trigger guard above the trigger bow. All parts are serial numbered #1793, that are normally serial numbered including bbl housing, latch, wedge, frame, arbor, cylinder, backstrap, trigger guard and loading arm. The grips are also serial numbered in pencil internally in channel. Grips also have a script "WH" cartouche for Confederate Inspector Wescom Hudgins. Rigdon & Ansley #1793, with its "CSA" barrel marking is in fine condition with crisp sharp edges, still retaining discernible tool marks and crisp action. 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 percussion revolvers of the Colt patent design, though contract was not signed for 1500 guns until firm settled in Greensboro, GA. 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 split up in January of 1864, 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 now came 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. This "cap release groove" is found on R&A #1793, along with the employment of a "Colt-type" loading lever latching assembly, rather than Leech & Rigdon ball and pin type catches. This is a very fine authentic and matching complete example of a well marked and inspected 1864 Augusta, Georgia, manufactured revolver. PROVENANCE: Jack Malloy, 1978; Norm Flayderman, 1979; Offered in Flayderman catalog #103; Fred Bennett; Fred Edmunds, 1985. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall, and excellent for surviving Confederate Revolver. Gun is matching and complete, every screw appears original. Metal overall has matching gray patina with scattered areas of staining and light pitting. Markings are all crisp and well discerned. There are several small dents in bottom of butt of both brass and wood partially obscuring cartouche as can be seen in photos. Brass trigger guard and backstrap have smooth yellow/mustard patina. Grips are sound and well fit with thin traces of original varnish over about 50% of their surface. "W H" cartouche is discernible as can be seen in photos. Mechanically gun functions well with crisp discernible rifling in bore. 50029-2 JS (20,000-30,000)