I haven't tried to obtain a copy of the Oct. 31, 1861 ad, yet. Maybe I'll try to get a copy from NARA when I go to D.C., in about 6 weeks.

In case you don't have the exact wording of the ad, here it is:

"Wanted immediately: All serviceable double-barreled shotguns, Sharps carbines and Maynard rifles, Colts, Navy pistols, or the single-barrel Dragoon pistols and common rifles. Persons knowing the whereabouts of the above described arms are earnestly requested to assist me in the collecting. Terms, cash on the spot. Agent for the Confederate States."

I have yet to find any other evidence/record that he was an Agent for the Confederate States, but I'm not sure that any other is needed. Why would he run and ad to buy guns, and make that statement if it was not true? As far as I can find, he was not an established gun dealer before the war. In fact, initial evidence indicates that in 1860 he was a general store or grocery store (don't remember which off the top of my head) owner in a county adjacent to the county in which Memphis is located.

I think that the marking on my revolver is written nearly exactly as yours is. It is: "W.P. Proudfit Agt. Memphis". This is in two lines with "Memphis" on the second line, where yours is probably in one line since it is on the barrel of your Savage & North. This is on the side of mine, on the flat by the wedge. It is also stamped "CS" in the trigger guard where the brass forms the base of the iron frame.

My gun does not have real good providence, but I do know that it has been around for a few decades. It came out of an old local collection about twenty or twenty-five years ago. It was in that collection for quite some time before it came out when the collector died, but I don't know exactly how long. I also know that the collector probably had good providence on it, because he bought only items that could be documented or verified. Unfortunately, that documentation is gone now. It was bought from the estate by another collector who I know quite well. I got it from him.