Confederate Model 1851 Navy type percussion revolver manufactured by Leech & Rigdon of Columbus, Mississippi, and Greensboro, Georgia, circa 1863-1864. Total production of Leech & Rigdon revolvers was approximately 1500 guns on a Confederate government contract. "CONFEDERATE HANDGUNS' by William Albaugh lists the highest known Leech & Rigdon serial number as 1490 but notes that the very similar Rigdon & Ansley revolvers were numbered as high as 2350. The revolver has the distinctive Leech & Rigdon, Dragoon style, part round/part octagon, barrel and six-shot cylinder with six stop slots. 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 one-piece walnut grip is oil finished. The cylinder, loading lever, arbor, wedge, lever catch, trigger guard and back strap are numbered "1031" and the barrel and frame are numbered "3031", The top of the barrel lug is roll-stamped: "LEECH & RIGDON CSA" reading towards the breech. A "N" inspection mark is stamped on both sides of the trigger guard bow. Five prominent notches have been neatly filed in the left side of the grip. Also, "SC", and "7" stamped on butt of grip.

Good as refinished. The revolver has been has been polished and the barrel, loading lever, cylinder, frame and hammer have been re-blued. Scattered pitting is visible underneath the blue finish. The barrel markings are light but legible. The brass trigger guard and back strap have been polished. The sides of the grip have been sanded and re-oiled. The revolver was apparently used as a hammer on at least one occasion and the bottom of the grip and back strap have numerous shallow dents. The grip notches may not be period and appear to have been added by the restorer to give the gun 'character'. The Leech & Rigdon revolvers were important Confederate handguns and surviving examples are scarce and very desirable firearms. Although this revolver has mis-matched serial numbers and refinish, it remains a solid, representative, example of a scarce and important Confederate Civil War revolver.