GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
RIGDON & ANSLEY CONFEDERATE PERCUSSION REVOLVER, SN 1785. RIGDON & ANSLEY NAVY 1785 36 Cal. 36. This is a consecutive number revolver to the next lot, SN 1786 from the Zack Catterton Collection. If Mr. Racker had known that gun had existed, there's little doubt he would have tried to make these two into a pair. Guns have very similar aesthetics overall though this example has a "Leech & Rigdon" cylinder with 6 stops with no safety pins, but has matching SN. This exact gun is the only example known with this variation and is pictured on pg 27 of William Gary’s “Confederate Revolvers”, 1987. This is an interesting variant with strong traces of original finish with sharp edges. Matching SNs are found on all parts normally numbered including bbl, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, loading arm, latch, arbor and wedge. This gun is somewhat of an enigma in that it has a deeper bevel cut into frame at front of trigger guard, longer flat of rammer swivel, but appears original throughout. PROVENANCE: Eric Vaule, 1963; William Albaugh; Bob Howard, 1964; Cecil Anderson, 1970; Don Bryan, 1983; pictured on pg 27 William Gary “Confederate Revolvers”, 1987; outstanding estate collection of Confederate and historical arms of Morris Racker. CONDITION: Very good overall. Crisp action. Well defined rifling and bore. All markings are discernible and "CSA" proof is particularly sharp as is the "W" cryptic on left front web of trigger bow. Stocks are well fit with hand worn patina. Metal overall is dark with strong traces of thin finish on bbl housing and under bbl. Muted case colors are found on protected areas of loading assembly. The cylinder has a plum, patina though SN is stamped in the same style as are the matching numbers on gun. 51957-21 JS (15,000-20,000)