FINE, RARE AND NEWLY DISCOVERED RIGDON & ANSLEY CONFEDERATE REVOLVER.

SN 1764. 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 rear left side of trigger guard above the trigger bow. All parts are serial numbered #1764, that are normally serial numbered including bbl housing, latch, wedge, frame, arbor, cylinder, backstrap and trigger guard. Loading arm is not numbered. The stocks are also serial numbered internally in channel. Stocks also have a script “WH” cartouche for Confederate Inspector Wescom Hudgins. Rigdon & Ansley #1764, with its “CSA” barrel marking is in fine condition, retaining much of its original blue finish and muted case colors. 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 #1764, along with the employment of a “Colt-type” loading lever latching assembly, rather than Leech & Rigdon ball and pin type catches. This gun just recently surfaced and is a beautiful example of an early 12-stop Augusta, Georgia made Rigdon & Ansley revolver purchased by the Confederate government and finely inspected. PROVENANCE: Gary Bizacky Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall, matching throughout. Bbl retains about 20% bright blue with balance plum/grey with scattered nicks, dings and scratches. Cylinder retains traces of bright blue with balance plum. There is a scratched spiral line that circles around cylinder four times which appears original from time of use. The frame is overall silver/grey. Hammer is dark and smooth, loading assembly is smooth with muted case colors and has no SN though latch does. Front site has been converted from brass post to small brass blade and appear original from time of use. Brass trigger guard and backstrap have yellow patina with one area of dents on back bottom of backstrap as can been seen in photos. 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. 8-76395 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1411

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1411	$23,000.00	FINE, RARE AND NEWLY DISCOVERED RIGDON & ANSLEY CONFEDERATE REVOLVER. SN 1764. 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 rear left side of trigger guard above the trigger bow. All parts are serial numbered #1764, that are normally serial numbered including bbl housing, latch, wedge, frame, arbor, cylinder, backstrap and trigger guard. Loading arm is not numbered. The stocks are also serial numbered internally in channel. Stocks also have a script “WH” cartouche for Confederate Inspector Wescom Hudgins. Rigdon & Ansley #1764, with its “CSA” barrel marking is in fine condition, retaining much of its original blue finish and muted case colors. 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 #1764, along with the employment of a “Colt-type” loading lever latching assembly, rather than Leech & Rigdon ball and pin type catches. This gun just recently surfaced and is a beautiful example of an early 12-stop Augusta, Georgia made Rigdon & Ansley revolver purchased by the Confederate government and finely inspected. PROVENANCE: Gary Bizacky Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall, matching throughout. Bbl retains about 20% bright blue with balance plum/grey with scattered nicks, dings and scratches. Cylinder retains traces of bright blue with balance plum. There is a scratched spiral line that circles around cylinder four times which appears original from time of use. The frame is overall silver/grey. Hammer is dark and smooth, loading assembly is smooth with muted case colors and has no SN though latch does. Front site has been converted from brass post to small brass blade and appear original from time of use. Brass trigger guard and backstrap have yellow patina with one area of dents on back bottom of backstrap as can been seen in photos. 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. 8-76395 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1411 Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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FINE, RARE AND NEWLY DISCOVERED RIGDON & ANSLEY CONFEDERATE REVOLVER.