Known as the Revolver of Colt Model 1851 Navy type, these rare Confederate revolvers were manufactured circa 1861 to 1864 with a total production of only about 100 and only a few are known today. These revolvers were very well made and (like most Confederate revolvers) are almost identical in appearance to the Colt Model 1851 Navy revolvers. Among the revolvers made in the Confederacy, the ones said to have been made by the Augusta Machine Works is somewhat mysterious. They are not marked with a markers name and some question if the gun was made by the factory or if any revolver were even manufactured by Augusta Machine. The Confederate Government did own a factory in Augusta, Georgia which was known as the Augusta Machine Works, but what military weapons were produced has never really been established. The revolver has a full octagon barrel, brass trigger guard and backstrap, and a Colt Navy type loading lever catch. These revolvers were marked with either numbers or letter for assembly markings. This particular revolver is marked with a "J" on the loading lever, wedge, rear of the cylinder, on the back of the barrel lug, on top of the plunger, on the inside of the trigger guard plate and on the inside of the backstrap. There were two variations of cylinders, one with six stops and the other (approximately half) 12 stops. This revolver has the 12 stops and correctly made without safety pins between the nipples. The revolver is equipped with a brass post front sight and a notch in the hammer head serves as the rear sight. The hammer is smooth and has a unique design with a shorter spur that goes almost straight up and down when in the decocked position Fitted with smooth one piece walnut grips This particular revolver is mentioned as one of two "J" marked 12 stop revolvers known and photographs showing three "J" marked parts and profile of the gun on pages 45-47 in Gary's book "Confederate Revolvers". There is also an original email correspondence with the consignor dated August 30, 2006 from a Damon Mills stating that he (Mr. Mills) looked at the revolver in detail and is comfortable that the gun is authentic. Mr. Mills states that he had traced the gun through three owners since 1947. The correspondence makes reference to the revolver pictured in Gary's book. He is certain the revolver is the same one due to similarities. Writer also agrees. The nipples and hammer are identical and an area of pitting on the right side of the frame matches. The "J" on the plunger in the book is on the underside, however was put in wrong when assembled and is now correctly on the top of the plunger. According to the correspondence the revolver had been "toned down or re-patinaed" by the second owner Mr. Mills traced the gun to. Mr. Mills concludes that the work done to the revolver was completely cosmetic and that he studied the gun in detail and found "no replacements, repairs, etc. other that the hammer spur, which likely dates to its period of use." This revolver was also reportedly the subject of an information inquiry in the old "Gun Collectors Letter" #16, September 30, 1947.

Fair with a dark "re-patinaed" brown finish on the once cleaned metal surfaces with scattered small areas of minor pitting. The barrel assembly is a bit loose. The brass has an even dark aged patina. The cylinder exhibits extensive pitting under the aforementioned later applied brown finish. The grips are good. There are a bit undersized, but fit tightly. The heels and toes are rounded, there is moderate wear on the lower edges, a couple pressure dents in the bottom of the left side and overall a few minor dings and handling marks. The action is fine. A solid representative example of an extremely rare, Confederate Augusta Percussion Civil War revolver.