April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
Offered is another Colt conversion rarity along with the Long Cylinder and Theur Conversions, this is a long flute, centerfire conversion Colt Model 1860 Army. If one questions the rarity, we have included the original ad from when this gun was sold by Collector's Corner of Albuquerque, New Mexico in their August 1958 advertisement, they write "Richards Conversion full fluted cylinder Army. Yes, seeing is believing. No. 4607, floating firing pin, no finish but no pits, a nice clean piece. $1,250". In that same ad, they have a 15% blue Henry at $435 and a 75% Model 1866 Winchester at $195; just to show how rare and valued this gun was nearly 60 years ago this month. This gun has matching serial numbers on frame, barrel, brass trigger guard and steel backstrap. Loading gate has "2327". Wedge is not marked. Fluted cylinder is not numbered but does have the patent date. This is correct as the serial numbers in this range were numbered on the back of the cylinder which would have been cut off in the conversion process. It is a Richards style conversion with one piece walnut grips. CONDITION: Basically all grey patina with razor sharp legends. Grips are slightly shy to metal. Brass shows no signs of plating. The patina on cylinder matches the balance of gun perfectly. The majority of screws are marred. Gun indexes perfectly. Strong, defined rifled bore with frosting and light black powder abrasion. We can find no other photographed examples of the long flute conversion in McDowell's book on conversions. This is a true conversion that is probably one of a kind and manufactured using a leftover long flute cylinder. Probably a once in a lifetime find. CORRECTION: After further research and evaluation. It has been determined that this first pattern Richard’s Conversion was in fact made in 1871 but remains an extremely rare variation utilizing a fluted Army cylinder chambered for the rare .44 Martin’s centerfire cartridge.