Rare, completely original, Model 1851 Navy type revolver manufactured by Leech & Rigdon at Greensboro, Georgia in 1863 as part of a 1500 gun contract with the Confederate government. The revolver has a Dragoon type, round/octagon barrel with brass, cone-shaped, front sight. The loading lever has a pin and ball catch and the wedge has an integral spring. The iron frame has no capping channel in the recoil shield; there is no cap release groove in the face of the frame. The six-shot cylinder has six-stop slots and safety pins. The hammer face has a round indentation with center pin. The revolver has a brass back strap and small oval trigger with one-piece, varnished, walnut grips. The barrel and cylinder are blued and the loading lever, frame and hammer have a casehardened finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "LEECH & RIGDON CSA" in a single line with large die reading toward the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The serial number, "971" is visible on the top loading lever flat, the underside of the wedge, the bottom of the barrel lug, bottom of the frame, trigger guard, backstrap and the side of the cylinder. The serial number is written in pencil on the inside of the grip. A "N" inspection or assembly mark is stamped on both sides of the front trigger guard bow.

Very fine. The barrel, loading lever, cylinder frame and hammer have an untouched original blue and silvered out cas colored finish mixed with a dark patina. Much of the original blue finish is visible on the barrel. There are five spots of moderate pitting present on the top of the barrel between the front sight and the breech. The cylinder has moderate flash pitting on the percussion nipples and rear face and the edges of the nipple cutouts are battered. Most of the revolver has a smooth, un-touched patina. The frame has a smooth, plum brown patina. The hammer has some light pitting with some battering on the edges of the spur. The trigger guard and backstrap have not been polished and have a mellow patina. The screw heads are in very good condition. The barrel legend, serial numbers and inspection marks on the trigger guard are clear. The grip is in fine condition with a period repaired hairline crack in the left side, chips in the edges of the heels and dents on the bottom of the butt. The action functions well and the hammer holds at half-cock. This is the finest example writer can recall that we have ever offered for auction. It is also known as one of the most significant Confederate Civil War revolvers in general.