Replica research

[Phil Coffins]

My friend bought his first black powder handgun. It’s used and is good shape. He called me and we discussed it as he handled it so with that info I suggested he buy it if the price was within limits. When he brought it over to my place we disassembled it to inspect and found it to very clean then did the arbor repair and greased it up. At the farm it worked very well with the first shot hitting the X in the ten ring useing a six o’clock hold.
Now the questions, the pistol has no proof marks or date stamp. It’s marked “High Standard “ and has a nickel plated steel frame. I’m aware that High Standard made many different firearms over the years but cap and ball is new to me. If anyone has information about this pistol and years of production we would be very grateful.
IMG_0057 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
IMG_0058 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
IMG_0059 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[Coot]

You have a High Standard replica of the Confederate made Leech & Rigdon. HS made several others in a "Guns of the Confederacy" line that I believe included a "Lee & Grant" pair of 1851 navy models. Several of their Confederate guns were available in wood cases, one with a Bowie knife & one with a CS belt buckle. I have one of the HS Leech & Rigdons (like yours) and one of their Griswald & Gunnison models. All of the HS cap & ball revolvers were made in the correct .36 caliber. Being made here in the states, they are not proof marked.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Thank you Coot, any years of manufacturing?

 

[Crow Choker]

Forgot all about those HS cappers.

 

[SDSmlf]

I’ve seen a few and owned a HS Leech & Rigdon quite some time ago (I am not 100% sure of the exact model you have, but a little research would likely confirm) and they came in presentation cases with reproduction belt buckles. My notes say they were only made in 1974. They were assembled and finished by High Standard using High Standard manufactured frames, with the other components supplied by Uberti.

 

[Phil Coffins]

SDSmlf, thank you that is what I had thought I remembered but I nor anyone should trust MY memory! I did find that the frame and arbor to be of harder steel than other replicas I’ve worked on. The hammer isn’t case hardened but would have benefited from that.

 

[Hawk54]

Thank you Coot, any years of manufacturing?

High Standard made three standard models for the Guns of the Confederacy series between 1974 and 1976. Griswold and Gunnison (brass frame), Leech and Rigdon (nickled frame), Schneider and Glassic (brass frame). They offered them as individual boxed pistols or as a wood cased set with a bowie knife, or belt buckle, etc. in the wood case depending on which model it was. About a thousand of each type were made. The frames were made by High Standard and the balance of the parts were Uberti. High Standard did the fit and finishing.

HS also made a Bicentennial (nickled frame) during the same time and was offered as a single boxed pistol or wood cased set.

Colt made the Lee and Grant pistols around 1971.

 

[Whitworth]

My High Standard "Griswold and Gunnison" is marked "High Standard, Camden, CT. USA" on two lines where your "Leech and Rigdon" appears. "Griswold and Gunnison, CSA" appears where your High Standard markings are. YMMV

 

[CaptainVane]

You have a High Standard replica of the Confederate made Leech & Rigdon. HS made several others in a "Guns of the Confederacy" line that I believe included a "Lee & Grant" pair of 1851 navy models. Several of their Confederate guns were available in wood cases, one with a Bowie knife & one with a CS belt buckle. I have one of the HS Leech & Rigdons (like yours) and one of their Griswald & Gunnison models. All of the HS cap & ball revolvers were made in the correct .36 caliber. Being made here in the states, they are not proof marked.

Well dam Coot. You sure know your stuff!

 

[Coot]

Thank you! I just happen to be a High Standard fan. There is always more to learn - which I think is a good thing.

 

[Notchy Bob]

There is always more to learn - which I think is a good thing.

10-4 to that! I had no idea that High Standard made cap and ball revolvers at all. This has been a very interesting and informative thread.

I don’t normally care much for nickel plating or bright stainless, but I’ll have to say the subject revolver is a very nice looking piece. It sounds like a shooter, too.

Good doin’s, all around.

Notchy Bob

 

[Phil Coffins]

Thank you! I just happen to be a High Standard fan. There is always more to learn - which I think is a good thing.

And that’s why I enjoy this site, many bases of knowledge!

 

[dracer]

never have heard of a high stander capper

 

[Hawk54]

never have heard of a high stander capper

He meant High Standard cap and ball revolver.

 

[tom in nc]

I too am a Hi Standard fan. I don't own a HS cap-n-ball gun though, yet. I would love to have any Confederate pistol, especially one reproduced b Hi Standard

 

[nhmoose]

But the Bluebook for black powder arms tons of info there.

 

[RB POWELL]

My friend bought his first black powder handgun. It’s used and is good shape. He called me and we discussed it as he handled it so with that info I suggested he buy it if the price was within limits. When he brought it over to my place we disassembled it to inspect and found it to very clean then did the arbor repair and greased it up. At the farm it worked very well with the first shot hitting the X in the ten ring useing a six o’clock hold.
Now the questions, the pistol has no proof marks or date stamp. It’s marked “High Standard “ and has a nickel plated steel frame. I’m aware that High Standard made many different firearms over the years but cap and ball is new to me. If anyone has information about this pistol and years of production we would be very grateful.
IMG_0057 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
IMG_0058 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
IMG_0059 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

Unbelievable, the amount of knowledge on this site. That is a very nice looking gun, with an interesting (original) history.

 

[Hanger]

Couldn’t help with the revolver, but clicked on image and it showed alot. I didn’t go through all of them, but will say you have pretty country. Especially the cabin build…. must cost a fortune to feed that house cat you got.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Couldn’t help with the revolver, but clicked on image and it showed alot. I didn’t go through all of them, but will say you have pretty country. Especially the cabin build…. must cost a fortune to feed that house cat you got.

Not really, there’s plenty of moose around!