Our Price: SOLD

Leech & Rigdon Confederate Revolver serial number 439. This is a nice example of an original and authentic Leech & Rigdon maker marked revolver.  This gun is original and complete in every regard having a much better and discernible than average barrel 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 Georgia where this gun was made.

This gun is marked “LEECH & RIGDON” on top flat of half-octagonal barrel housing. There are only 5 or so of these guns extant that have this marking without 'CSA'. Matching serial numbers are found on barrel, loading arm, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, backstrap and barrel catch. Stocks are numbered internally. Wedge is unumbered but appears to be Leech & Rigdon production. 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 an 'N' which on this example was double struck. Gun was made with 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.

This gun has overall grey patina to iron and light mustard patina to brass. Traces of original blue finish turned plum can be seen found in protected areas. Case coloring on frame has mellowed to a pleasant blue color. Gun appears all original with exception of wedge retaining screw.

This gun is published in Confederate Handguns (1963) on the back cover and on page 49 of the text where it is credited to Lee Brigham. It is believed to have been part of a large collection of Confederate revolvers that belonged to Frank R. Billingslea of Tulsa OK in the 1920's. It is advertised by Topeka KS dealer F. Theodore Dexter in late 1943 and Febuary of 1944. It was offered by Herb Glass JR from the Brigham estate in March 1991 at the Balitmore show. It was acquired from Dr. Conrad Smith of Augusta, GA in the 1990's by the collector I bought it from.