GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
LEECH & RIGDON CONFEDERATE REVOLVER, IDENTIFIED TO SOUTH CAROLINA CAVALRYMAN.LEECH & RIGDONNAVY117436Cal. 36. This is a nice example of an orig and authentic Leech & Rigdon maker marked revolver in standard configuration. This gun appears "as found" orig and complete in every regard having a much better and discernible than average bbl marking. The firm of Leech & Rigdon started business in Memphis, TN and being chased by advancing Union forces, moved their operations to Columbus, Miss. where pistol production began, and then to Greensboro, Georgia where this gun was made. This gun is marked "LEECH & RIGDON CSA" on top flat of half-oct bbl housing. Matching SNs are found on bbl, loading arm, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, wedge, arbor, backstrap and penciled into backstrap channel of grips. This gun has all features consistent with this model including a cryptic mark found on the front right web of trigger bow and in this example cryptic is 4-dots in a square. Gun was made with no safety pins, solid hammer face with no slots, ball and pin loading arm type. There is no cap release groove in recoil shield. These features are typical and consistent to these Georgia made Confederate revolvers. The "CSA" marking on bbl is consistent with this gun being part of Confederate Government order that ends in the 1500 serial range. Stamped on bottom of right grip is partial "SC" marking seen on other guns in this serial range. There is also a set of initials "JBC" scratched into butt which Mr. Donaldson had identified to cavalryman James B. Cureton. Holcombe's Legion, 7th SC Cavalry. Pvt. Cureton was killed in action May 30, 1864 on the James River. We are not sure where Mr. Donaldson obtained this gun, but the initials do match his proposed ID. Mr. Donaldson was the first purported owner of this gun and bought it "out of the woods". Regardless of who carried this gun, it is a fine, honest, complete example with the rarely seen "SC" inspector mark. There are two wonderful articles detailing the history of Leech & Rigdon revolvers published by the American Society of Arms Collectors in their bulletins by Ted Meredith originally and updated by Kent Wall. Copies of these articles will be included. These articles add to the primary research published by William Albaugh and William Gary in their texts on Confederate handguns. PROVENANCE: The Confederate and Civil War estate collection of Fred Donaldson. CONDITION: Very good overall. Metal is grey overall with tiny traces of finish in protected areas. Markings are all crisp and well discerned. Gun appears orig with exception of two restored screws and loading arm latch which could be contemporary but is not numbered. There are numerous small dings, dents and bruises to surfaces of this gun with pitting. Brass has light mustard patina. Grips are sound, well fit, only the "S" in the "SC" inspector mark is visible, moderate edge wear, tacking marks at front toes with chipping, hand worn patina. Mechanically functional with discernible rifling in bore. 52430-15 JS (15,000-18,000)