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Leech and Rigdon

Rigdon floated his gear downriver to Memphis. There he found Thomas Leech, gunsmith and sword maker doing business as the Memphis Novelty Works. Leech’s “novelties” consisted of cavalry swords, rolled armor plate, and gun repair; of the latter, presumably making hammers and percussioning was the principal activity. Rigdon may have been engaged in setting up a revolver works, for the Memphis Daily Appeal, November 15, , states that the “Eagle Foundry” of Streeter, Chamberlain & McDaniel was preparing to make “Colt revolvers.” A “Colt revolver” was what Rigdon was eventually to make under his own name. Navy-type revolvers by Leech & Rigdon and Rigdon 6    Ansley were probably the best-manufactured massproduction revolvers of the South.
In partnership with Thomas Leetch, the name of the firm Leech & Rigdon first appeared in print May, , advertising swords for sale. But the threat of Federal forces and the War on the Western waters was brought home to Memphis, caused Confederate authorities to urge the removal of arms-making potential further into the deep South. L & R had planned for this move in March, buying land in Columbus, Missis-
First type Leech & Rigdon had round barrel typical of Southern “Navy Colts” and conventional 6-notch cylinder. Barrel top (inset) was stamped with firm name until C.S. Government took over management; thereafter CSA was added. Serial of barrel-cylinder shown is 942 or 972: pieces are mounted upon Colt Navy frame and have been so for many years. Button-pin latch is characteristic of early production Leech guns under 1,000 serial.
First type Leech & Rigdon had round barrel typical of Southern “Navy Colts” and conventional 6-notch cylinder. Barrel top (inset) was stamped with firm name until C.S. Government took over management; thereafter CSA was added. Serial of barrel-cylinder shown is 942 or 972: pieces are mounted upon Colt Navy frame and have been so for many years. Button-pin latch is characteristic of early production Leech guns under 1,000 serial.

sippi. To this site they shifted, departing from Memphis May 9, . The order of General Beauregard to evacuate arms plants from Memphis doubtless affected the Eagle Foundry as well; no pistols have been identified as of this factory, and it may be that Rigdon first tried to work with them; failed and turned to Leech; was interrupted by the removal to Columbus. And in turn, this set-up was dismantled in December, finally moving to Greensboro, Georgia, about December 15. There in the Greensboro Steam Factory, which they bought, the first revolvers were made.
Set-up time apparently occupied them for two months only; on March 6, , Leech & Rigdon received a contract to manufacture revolvers for the C. S. War Department. It is believed L & R guns made after this date bear the CSA stamp on the barrel. L & R ended their partnership December, , and Rigdon moved to Augusta, Georgia. Some or all of the revolver tooling went with him; Augusta-made Rigdon revolvers have trigger guards of the same unique form as the earlier L & R pistol guards. In Georgia, Rigdon formed a partnership with C. R. Keen, and A. J. Smythe as minor shareholders, Jesse A. Ansley as a fourth investor, and Rigdon as principal.
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