December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2023
As self contained metallic cartridges became increasingly popular after the close of the Civil War, a group of 1,138 Model 1860 Army Colts were retrofitted with the Richards system from 1871 to 1872 and delivered to the U.S. Ordnance Department. Most of these revolvers saw hard frontier use, issued to various cavalry units in the West, including the Buffalo Soldiers (10th Cavalry) in Texas. This example was originally manufactured as a percussion revolver in 1863. It features a correctly shortened 7 - 7/8" round barrel with German silver blade front sight, faint 1-line New York, and ejector rod. A small "US" is correctly stamped on the barrel to the left of the wedge screw. Standard 6-stop cylinder with Richard conversion breech plate, chambered for .44 Colt. Brass trigger guard and steel backstrap. Grips are 1-piece walnut, branded on each side with illegible inspector cartouches. As with most of these contract conversions, original serial numbers are mixed. Matching conversion number "263" present on ejector rod housing, barrel lug, frame, grip straps, cylinder, conversion breech plate, and loading gate. CONDITION: Good. Steel components cleaned to an even gunmetal gray patina with some mild older oxidation spots. Markings are softened. Brass trigger guard starting to mellow. Grips appear lightly cleaned with some expected impressions. Very strong bore with light pitting throughout. Crisp mechanics. Having an overall low survival rate due to their frontier martial use, these conversions are extremely scarce in any condition. A nice addition to any Indian Wars or Western collection.