Rigdon & Ansley Revolver
Rigdon, Ansley & Co. · Pistol · Discontinued · 1864
Also known as: Rigdon, Ansley & Co. Revolver, Rigdon-Ansley Navy, Augusta Rigdon-Ansley
Overview
The Rigdon & Ansley is a .36 caliber single-action cap-and-ball revolver produced in Augusta, Georgia for the Confederate States Army in 1864-1865. A direct successor to the Leech & Rigdon, it closely follows the Colt Model 1851 Navy pattern with an iron frame, round barrel with octagonal lug, and brass backstrap and trigger guard. Its most distinctive feature is a twelve-stop cylinder (double the usual six), which let the hammer rest safely between the percussion nipples, along with a milled 'cap release groove' in the recoil shield to ease ejection of spent caps.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1180 g (41.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 330 mm (12.99") |
| Barrel Length | 191 mm (7.52") |
| Action Type | Single Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 210 m/s (689 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 115 J (85 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 45 m (49 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 7 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .36 Caliber Percussion (Cap and Ball) · primary — also known as .36 Navy, .36 Cap and Ball, .36 Ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded Chambers
- Safety mechanisms: Twelve Stop Cylinder, Hammer Rests Between Nipples
- Features: Iron Frame, Round Barrel With Octagonal Lug, Colt 1851 Navy Pattern, Brass Backstrap And Trigger Guard, Brass Cone Front Sight, Open Top Frame, Six Shot Cylinder, Twelve Cylinder Stops, Cap Release Groove, Loading Lever, Single Action Percussion
Service history
Operators
- Confederate States Army · adopted 1864
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,000 · Production years: 1864-1865
Approximately 1,000 Confederate government-contract revolvers manufactured in Augusta, Georgia.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Charles H. Rigdon
Discontinued: 1865
Notes
Made by the firm of Charles H. Rigdon, Jesse A. Ansley, Andrew Smith and Charles Keen after the Leech & Rigdon partnership dissolved in December 1863 and Rigdon moved the gun-making machinery to Augusta. Serial numbers continue the Leech & Rigdon range, roughly 1500 to the 2300s.
Background
When the Leech & Rigdon partnership dissolved in December 1863, Charles Rigdon took all the gun-making machinery with him to Augusta, Georgia, and formed a new partnership with Jesse Ansley. The improved twelve-stop cylinder he introduced allowed the hammer to rest safely between chambers, a notable safety advance for a Confederate sidearm.