Confederate handguns, especially those manufactured in the South during the Civil War, are always highly sought after. The limited number of surviving examples of the already scarce revolvers means they continue to garner high prices at auction and remain among the most prized pieces in many stand-out collections. The included 2019 authentication report from John Sexton confirms that this revolver has been known by the authenticator since at least 1977 and states: "the subject revolver, Leech & Rigdon Revolver, SN 503, is original and authentic in every regard and is [a] rare survivor among the earliest Confederate government purchased examples." The report also contains a detailed analysis of the revolver which states "I can state that L&R 503 is the lowest serial number surviving of a complete, match and original 'CSA' surcharged Leech & Rigdon revolver. This revolver saw honest use but has survived quite nicely with tiny traces of finish in protected areas, crisp rifling, 'attic condition' with good iron and brass patina." The next lowest example of the 155 known surviving revolvers is listed as 507. Two other revolvers, 496 and 497, are not original and/or complete. It is noted as one of the first government purchased revolvers. Only around 1,500 of these revolvers were manufactured in 1863 and 1864. They were first manufactured by Leech & Rigdon in Columbus, Mississippi, and then in Greensboro, Georgia, in 1863 and the last approximately 500 were manufactured by Rigdon, Ansley & Co. in August, Georgia, in 1864. The main men involved were Thomas Leech of Memphis and Charles H. Rigdon of St. Louis. Together they first operated the Memphis Novelty Works in Tennessee which manufactured swords and some accoutrements. The Leech & Rigdon revolvers are well-made but somewhat roughly finished revolvers clearly based upon Colt's popular designs. The revolver has Colt Dragoon style part round, part octagon barrel with a small brass blade front sight, "LEECH & RIGDON C.S.A." on top of the breech section, and a loading lever with ball style catch. The hammer has coarse knurling and a groove for a rear sight. The cylinder has six stops. "503" is marked on the loading lever catch, loading lever, wedge, barrel lug, arbor pin, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and butt of the grip. The barrel and cylinder were finished blue, the frame along with the loading lever and hammer were casehardened, and the grip straps were left bright.

Fine overall, especially for a Confederate handgun, with slight traces of original finish as noted above, an out of the attic look overall with dark brown patina on most of the steel and aged patina on the brass, some oxidation and minor pitting, part of the head of the lower frame screw on the left absent, wear at some of the screw holes on the brass, and generally distinct markings. The grip is also fine and has moderate lower edge wear including some small chips, general scratches and marks, and light "checkering" lines on the right side. Mechanically fine. This is an impressive, early, and important Confederate Leech & Rigdon revolver. Many advanced collections are missing this historical model, and this one has been identified as one of the earliest and best.