SN: 605. Cal. 36. This is a standard model Leech & Rigdon revolver, part of first Confederate contract of November 26, 1862. What makes this gun so important is it's condition and history. This is among the most iconic of all Confederate revolvers being universally recognized by most Confederate collectors and scholars. This gun has fabulous provenance and history and a large album of orig correspondence accompanies it. Herb Glass, Sr.(1916-1970), among the most respected of early antique firearms experts stated in accompanying orig 1956 letter "That Leech & Rigdon #605 is in my opinion, is the finest Confederate pistol in existence. It came to me directly from the person who bought it from the Harrington family and that family is still in existence in Yonkers, NY...Ensign Harrington wound up an Admiral and is a nationally known naval hero". This gun is in wonderful condition with rarely seen silver presentation plaque finely engraved with it's history "ENSIGN P. FRED. HARRINGTON / U.S. NAVY / U.S.S. MONONGAHELA / MOBILE BAY, ALABAMA / FRIDAY AUG. 5TH 1864 / CAPTURED WITH THE REBEL IRONCLAD / TENNESSEE". Ensign Purnell Frederick Harrington (1844-1937) was a lifelong navy man, graduating from Annapolis September 1861, seeing much service advancing through the ranks. Harrington wrote a very detailed letter to his brother after the Battle of Mobile Bay which content can be found in provenance file, which should be read. "Altogether it was a desperate and plucky fight on both sides...the honor of capturing the finest ram ever built and the finest ironclad ever built belongs almost exclusively to wooden ships...Immediately after the fight, I went on board the ram. She is like the Atlanta but twice as powerful. Her gun deck was flesh and gore". It is interesting to note Harrington's mention of the CSS Atlanta as it is the only other vessel I know of to have a silver plaque commemorating it's capture and that was LeMat SN 7 which was sold on these floors as Lot 1107, October 2007 at the time a record auction price for a Confederate handgun when it realizes $166,750. The historic Battle of Mobile Bay took place on August 5th, 1864. This was the last important defended Confederate port in the Gulf of Mexico east of the Mississippi River. Early on in the war, the Confederates realized they could not protect all of their ports and thus selected only the important ones to protect. To the Union, the closure of this port would be the last step in the completion of the blockade of that reason and thus very important, just as it was equally important to the Confederates to defend it. Rear Admiral David G. Farragut led the attack accompanied by an overwhelming force of naval vessels and a contingent of soldiers. The Confederates had 3 forts in the bay so not only was it imperative that they destroy the naval forces but also the forts. It was at this battle that Farragut is purported to have given the dramatic order, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" The Confederate fleet was far outnumbered and before the day was out, the only vessel left fighting was the ironclad CSS Tennessee. Despite this, she did not flee but engaged the entire Northern fleet. Because of her ironclad armor, she was able to inflict more injury than she received. Completely surrounded and fighting by herself, she was finally reduced to a motionless hulk. It was then and only then Admiral Buchanan finally surrendered. Within a few days, the forts were also captured and this last remaining Confederate port was now in Union hands. The capture of Mobile Bay was a coup for the North but most specifically for President Abraham Lincoln. The battle was extensively covered in publications of the day and due to the great success it was a morale booster for Lincoln and his people. It certainly assisted him in his reelection which took place only a few months after the battle. A rare Confederate revolver in this type of condition is indeed a prize item but when coupled with the impeccable provenance and association of such a significant historic engagement, it is truly a prize. This revolver is indeed iconic and a most rare opportunity for any serious collection of important Confederate arms. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Ensign P. F. Harrington, USN, August 5, 1864; Harrington Family Estate to Herb Glass, Sr., Bullville, NY; Described on pg 51 of "The Original Confederate Colt" by William Albaugh & Richard Stuart, 1953; Ex-William Florence Collection, 1956; Ex-Clifford Young Collection; Pictured and described in The Boston Globe, January 23, 1966; Pictured on pg 21 "Confederate Revolvers" by Bill Gary, 1987' Pictured and described on pg 323-324 of "Confederate Presentation Swords and Revolvers, Dan Hartzler, 1988. CONDITION: Very fine overall. 100% orig and matching. Gun is crisp retaining strong traces of orig finish in protected areas, otherwise an overall smooth grey/plum with a light mustard colored brass. SNs and bbl address are as crisp and well struck as you can find. Grips are fine and well fit, retaining about 90% of their orig varnish. Silver plaque is professional engraved, smooth with minor tiny cosmetic scratches. Mechanically revolver functions well, all 6 safety pins on cylinder are crisp and functional, bore is crisp with well defined rifling. 44797-26 JS (60,000-80,000)