LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Civil War Auction #674  / 

72404

UNTOUCHED CONFEDERATE LEECH & RIGDON REVOLVER

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:22,000.00 USD Estimated At:24,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
UNTOUCHED CONFEDERATE LEECH & RIGDON REVOLVER
<B>CONFEDERATE LEECH & RIGDON 36 CALIBER REVOLVER SERIAL NUMBER 682.</B></I> The L&R revolver is one of the most sought-after Confederate handguns and certainly one of the finest quality firearms made in the Confederacy. The revolver shows a very pleasing consistent aged-brown patina on the iron parts with no evidence of ever having been cleaned; the brass has a deep rosy patina. As is normal, the serial number is very small, all numbers are matching. The serial number stamping appears on the cylinder, frame trigger guard, butt strap and loading lever, the wedge is a period replacement but un-numbered. The flat of the barrel is stamped "<I>Leech & Rigdon CSA</B></I>", as the usual defective stamping renders the “L” unreadable with only the top portions of "EECH" visible and the broken die stamping in the name "Rigdon". The initials "ECG" can be found scratched on the butt of the blackstrap, as noted in Dave Mark’s letter of authenticity dated July 18, 1988; no research has been undertaken to determine to whom the initials might be associated.<BR><BR>Thomas H. Leech was a cotton broker in Memphis, TN prior to the Civil War. With the advent of hostilities, Leech began the sale of military cutlery, brass castings, Cavalry sabers, infantry and artillery swords and Bowie knives of every description under the firm name of Thomas Leech & Company. Leech expanded his offering of military related products with the addition of Charles H. Rigdon to the firm, at which time the firm name was changed to Memphis Novelty Works. There is strong evidence that Rigdon made the machinery for Able Shawk and J. K. McLanahan of St. Louis, MO in the manufacture of the 36 cal. Shawk & McLanahan revolvers in the 1850’s. The name was again changed to Leech & Rigdon when they relocated to Columbus, MS. This revolver was produced after their relocation to Greensboro, GA.<BR><B><BR>Provenance: </B></I>Collections of William A. Gary, author of <I>“Confederate Revolvers,” </B></I>Morris L. Racker, John Graham, Dave Mark, Bill Beard and Jerry Fertitta: Letters of authenticity from Fred Edmunds and Dave Mark are included. The revolver has been included in numerous displays of products by the firm of Leech & Rigdon at Civil War Shows and Traveler’s Rest, the home of Judge John B. Overton which served as headquarters of Confederate Gen. John B. Hood’s Army of Tennessee during the Battle of Nashville, Dec. 1864.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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