Here are some pictures I downloaded in 2008 of an Augusta marked revolver - IIRC it was from a RIA Auction - but not absolutely sure though.
The revolver is marked Augusta, but also C.H. Rigdon. Another one bearing the same markings, but displaying a short barrel (5"), is described in Albaugh and Steuart's book "the original Confederate Colt". It also has 12 stops like the one you show. After dissolving his partnership with Leech, Rigdon relocated in Augusta and went on producing revolvers under the same contract with the Confederation. These revolvers were therefore made in Augusta, but not by the Augusta Machine Works.
You will find a very informative article about Leech & Rigdon, Rigdon & Ainsley, etc... on the American Society of Arms Collectors site :
http://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Leech-and-Rigdon-Confederate-revolvers-B072_Meredith.pdfThe gentleman who wrote it, Edward J. Meredith, apparently owns one the Augusta made Rigdons, which he displays in the last pictures featured.
These pictures are what I used to make my copies
As far as I can see, you used a Leech & Rigdon replica, the blueing of which you aged a bit after removing the italian markings and stamping the CH Rigdon ones, and adding 6 new stops between the originals. I for one thing would not know how to add these stops and stampings, and for another thing would not dare doing these changes on a L&R. They are so hard to find over here. As you know, I had to have the barrel of a 1851 turned and to file off the cylinder engraving to make mine.
The result you obtained is great. I'd really like to add one such to my collection.
Very nice likenesses, Fingers! And I love your S&G's, Ringo. Here's mine. I didn't have the heart to defarb it.
You already did a good job cleaning it and reviving it. I usually do not defarb my replicas either. Most are more than 40 years old, and their markings, whether from the italian maker or the american importer, are really not too prominent. Furthermore, like Dr Jim Davis, I feel they are collectible in themselves. So I just keep them as they are. I usually only give them a good thorough cleaning inside ad outside. Regarding my L&R and my Dance, I had to do something myself, as I was not able to find replicas although I had been looking for them high and low for ages. The L&R was originally a Rigarmi 1851, and I never found another since. So every now and then I tell myself I should never have used it, just kept it in my collection and do the job on a Pietta.
