-NO RESERVE- CSA Leech and Rigdon Civil War revolver SN 1174. Cal. 36. This is a very nice example of an original and authentic Leech & Rigdon maker marked revolver in standard configuration. This gun is as found, original and complete in every regard having a much better 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 the 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 with all known Georgia made revolvers. The "CSA" marking on bbl is consistent with this gun being part of the Confederate Government order that ends in the 1500 serial range. Stamped on bottom of right grip is a partial "SC" marking as seen on other guns in this serial range. There is also a set of initials "JBC" scratched into butt which previous owner Fred Donaldson had identified to cavalryman James B. Cureton. Holcombe's Legion, 7th SC Cavalry. Mr. Donaldson is believed to be the first collector to own this gun. Pvt. Cureton was killed in action May 30, 1864 on the James River. The wartime incised initials on the butt strap fit Donaldson's proposed ID, as do the letters SC, unless the SC are the initials of an arms inspector, which may well be the case. Mr. Donaldson owned this gun long before the internet, and was the first purported owner and bought it "out of the woods". I have not personally done any research on the internet to verify or refute Mr. Donaldson's initial research of thirty years ago. I will leave that for you.

This is a fine, honest, complete example of a very rare Confederate gun with the rarely seen "SC" mark. PROVENANCE: The Confederate and Civil War estate collection of Fred Donaldson, Sale by James Julia. Private collector recently deceased. 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 good rifling.