GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
SCARCE COLT MODEL 1860 FLUTED ARMY RICHARDS CONVERSION SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.COLT1860 ARMY460744 CALCal. 44 Colt. Usual configuration with 7-3/4", slightly amputated rnd bbl with relocated, altered German silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Bbl lug is fitted with an ejector housing and half-moon ejector rod head. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and left shoulder of trigger guard is marked "44 Cal". The Richards conversion ring loading gate has assembly number "2327" which is also found on the cyl spindle. Accompanied by a Colt Factory Letter which identifies this revolver as having been shipped to the New York Arsenal on May 21, 1861 in a 50 gun shipment. Also accompanied by a 1958 magazine advertisement of the Seven Idols Shop, Albuquerque, New Mexico which lists this revolver by SN. Approximately 9000 Colt Model 1860 revolvers were converted 1873-1878 simultaneous with production of the Single Action Army. These revolvers were simply a stop-gap to fill demand for the big bore cartridge revolvers until production of the Single Action Army could catch up. These revolvers generally saw hard use on the American frontier and few survive today with high orig finish. Incredibly few fluted cyl models are known to have been converted. PROVENANCE: The Estate of G. W. "Bill" Stewart of Sonora, Texas. CONDITION: Above good, no orig finish remains being an overall grey metal patina with scattered fine pitting. Wedge is a replacement. Grip has a replaced left toe with wood fill in the bottom edges and shows heavy wear with a dark hand stain. Mechanics are fine. Strong sharp bore with fine pitting. 49973-145 JR34 (5,000-8,000)