This is a highly sought after example of an original Confederate Model 1851 Navy type percussion revolver that was manufactured by Leech & Rigdon of Greensboro, Georgia, c., 1863-1864. Total production of Leech & Rigdon revolvers was approximately 1500 guns manufactured for a Confederate government contract. "CONFEDERATE HANDGUNS' by Albaugh, Benet and Simmons lists the highest known Leech & Rigdon serial number as 1490. The revolver has the distinctive Leech & Rigdon, Dragoon style, part round/part octagon, barrel with brass cone front sight. The six-shot cylinder with six stop slots and no safety pins. The hammer face is not slotted for a safety pin. The loading lever has a pin and ball latch. The recoil shield lacks a capping channel. The revolver has a brass back strap and trigger guard. The hammer spur has coarse hand-knurling. The one-piece walnut grip is oil finished. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "LEECH & RIGDON CSA" reading toward the breech. The loading lever, wedge, barrel lug, frame, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap are serial numbered "1224". All of the visible serial numbers match. A Leech & Rigdon inspection mark consisting of four small punch markings in a square is stamped on the right front trigger guard bow. This revolver is listed by serial number on page 53 of "CONFEDERATE HANDGUNS" with the notation: "Loading lever is the pin and ball type. The face of the hammer is not notched. No safety pin on cylinder.".

Very good. The revolver shows the hard service wear typical of Confederate made weapons. The iron components have an attractive silver-gray patina overall. There is moderate pitting visible on the barrel and the sides of the loading lever. The markings on the top of barrel are faint but legible. The frame and hammer show some light pitting with scattered spots of age discoloration. The left side of the sighting notch on the hammer is broken off. There is moderate flash pitting present on the percussion nipples and rear portions of the cylinder. The left side of the hammer face is broken. The brass trigger guard and back strap have an attractive, untouched, aged patina. The serial numbers on all components are sharp. The one piece walnut grip is in very good condition with moderate handling wear. There are a number of shallow dents on the bottom of the grip. This is a solid original representative example of a rare and important Confederate Leech and Rigdon Percussion revolver.