The Mississippi in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Leech & Ridgon, Columbus MS

According to "An Introduction to Civil War Small Arms" by Coates and Thomas, Leech and Rigdon manufactured 1,500 pistols. The only "Confederate knock offs" to surpass that was the Griswold and Gunnison version of Griswoldville, GA, which put out 3,700. Here is the rundown:

August Machine Works, Augusta, GA: 100

Columbus Fire Arms Manf. Co., Columbus, GA: 100

J.H. Dance & Bros., Columbia, TX: 500 (or less)

Griswold and Gunnison, Griswoldville, GA: 3,700

Leech and Rigson, Columbus, MS: 1,500

Rigdon, Ansley, & Co., Augusta, GA: 1,000

Schneider and Glassick, Memphis, TN: 50

These were described in the book as being "known manufacturers". There are no documentations on arms factories like the one at Bastrop, Texas. I saw the old factory there and read the historical marker, but no one seems to have any idea of what arms or how many they manufactured. They did say that, being in remote central Texas, the factory stayed in business throughout the war.

Regarding the Savage Navy and the Confederacy, Coates and Thomas reported, "Many Savage revolvers were privately purchased and smuggled south. The arm was often seen in the hands of Confederate cavalrymen serving east of the Allegheny mountains....Because of its odd construction the arm was not well balanced and was therefore difficult to aim. A few Savage revolvers were purchased by Union officers, but they were not a popular weapon." Also, they said that the vast majority were purchased by the Federal government and were issued to Federal cavalry troops in the western theatre. Between that report and the fact that I cannot find anyone who makes a reproduction of it, I have to disregard it for myself. Also, these were not likely found in Mississippi, since most of the Confederate Savages were in cavalry serving much farther east. Like I said, my pistol will just be for competition shooting with groups like the N-SSA or smaller local Civil War competition shooting clubs. Either that, or I'll use it when I carry a flag in SCV color guards and am not carrying a rifle. If I go with the TST living history group, I'll probably save up and get a Dragoon, possibly a Walker (although I don't like the idea of nothing keeping the packing handle in place under the barrel).

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Re: Leech & Ridgon, Columbus MS
Re: Leech & Ridgon, Columbus MS
Re: Leech & Ridgon, Columbus MS
Re: Leech & Ridgon, Columbus MS
Re: Leech & Ridgon, Columbus MS