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LOT 228
Very Scarce Indian Wars
Era U.S. Contract Colt Model 1860 Army Richards
Cartridge Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 141686, 44 Colt CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut grips. Approximately 9,000 “conversions” were manufactured c. 1871-1878
using the Richards system, patented July 25th, 1871. A small fraction of these Richards revolvers, approximately
1,200, were delivered to the U.S. Ordnance Department, and most were issued to cavalry units on the frontier, most notably the famous 10th Cavalry Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers), and nearly all saw hard use. Surviving examples of U.S. Richard’s conversion Model
1860 Army revolvers are rarely seen today and inevitably show heavy service wear. This example started life as an 1863 production Colt 1860 Army
percussion revolver that was subsequently converted, with “U.S.” marked on the left of the barrel and a boxed script “OWA” (Orville W. Ainsworth)
inspection cartouche stamped on the left of the grip. Designed by Charles Brinckerhoff Richards (1835-1919), one of the co-designers of the famous Colt Single
Action Army. Richards revolvers were an important stepping stone to the Single Action Army and often saw intense use on the western frontier. They feature a breech plate with an integral notch rear sight and a floating firing pin instead of using a hammer mounted firing pin. An ejector rod housing is fitted to the right side of the barrel and the slot in the barrel lug in place of the loading lever of the percussion 1860 Army revolvers. German silver blade front sight, “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S.
AMERICA-” marked on top of the barrel, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left of the frame, matching visible serial numbers with “141686” above conversion number “754” on the frame, trigger
guard and butt, “1686” and “754” on the cylinder pin, and just “754” on the barrel, wedge, conversion plate, loading gate and handwritten inside the grip mortise.
CONDITION: Very good plus, with scattered mild brown spotting on the iron surfaces with traces of bright original blue finish visible in some of the protected areas, mostly defined cylinder scene, a few patches of light pitting, some dings around the barrel lug area, and attractive golden bright patina on the brass. The grip is fine with a lightly visible cartouche, some light dents and handling marks, and defined edges. Mechanically fine. One will look a long time to find a better example!
Estimate: 10,000 - 16,000
LOT 229
Scarce and Exceptional Colt Model 1851 Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 3170, 38 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This revolver is a standard model Colt factory conversion manufactured by Colt from previously unassembled and unfinished M1851 Navy parts. Colt manufactured approximately 3,800 Model 1851 cartridge conversion
revolvers in the mid-1870s. The revolver has the distinctive features of “Type 1” factory alterations as assembled using unfinished parts: (1) the hole in the barrel lug for the percussion loading lever has not been plugged, (2) the frame is fitted with a loading gate with internal
spring actuated plunger, (3) the improved Richards-Mason breech plate is contoured flush with
the recoil shield, (4) the rimfire firing pin is attached to the hammer by two lateral rivets, (5) the ejector housing is attached by a screw in the left side of the barrel lug and (6) the top of the hammer spur has a bordered, oval, knurled panel. The full serial number, “3170”, is visible on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and handwritten in black ink inside the grip mortise. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and stamped “COLTS PAT. No. 170”. Assembly number “497” stamped on the cylinder pin and rear face of the loading gate. Unnumbered wedge. “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-” roll-stamped on top of the barrel, “-PAT. JULY. 25, 1871-/-PAT. JULY. 2, 1872.-” in two lines on the left of the frame. The brass back strap has a period oval shaped knurled section towards the top. Initials “JDS” carved in the top left of the grip, what appears to be a ship carved in the top right, and two carved notches in the bottom left edge. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% plus of the attractive bright original high polish blue finish on the barrel , 40% of the vibrant original case colors, and 20% of the original silver plating with a tarnished appearance concentrated around the iron trigger guard. Attractive bright golden patina on the brass back strap. The grip is very good with scattered scratches, general period wear along the bottom edges with some light crazing of the original varnish, and the mentioned period carvings. Mechanically excellent. With the limited examples of these Colt Model
1851 conversion revolvers seeing hard use out West, this example remains in a high state of condition comparatively and has a hint of frontier charm with period initials carved in the grip! Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 230
Colt Model 1860 Army Richards-Mason Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 195451, 44 Colt CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Reportedly 2,100 of these Colt Model 1860 Richards-Mason conversions were manufactured circa 1877 and 1878 as cartridge revolvers using a mix of percussion revolver parts on hand and newly fabricated components. They are one of the scarcest Colt cartridge conversion revolver variations and were manufactured concurrently with the famous Colt Single Action Army. The revolver has the distinctive breech plate without a rear sight, a matching serial numbered loading gate (5451) with external spring and a hammer with the added centerfire firing pin and notch rear sight. The top of the barrel has the one-line New York address. The two-line 1871 and 1872 patent dates are on the left side of the frame, and “44 CAL” is on the left trigger guard shoulder. It is fitted with a smooth one-piece walnut grip. CONDITION: Fine with 85% plus period retailer applied nickel plating, 20% original silver plating on the trigger guard, 75% original case colors on the hammer, and minor overall wear including some small spots of pitting. The lightly sanded grip is very good and has loss at the toe and upper rear edges and light handling wear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 231
Colt Model 1862 Police/Pocket Navy Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 12021, 38 RF cal., 6 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Colt manufactured around 6,500 Model 1862 Police and Pocket Navy revolvers in .38 rimfire and .38 centerfire c. 1873-1875 alongside the early Colt Single Action Army revolvers. This revolver has the round barrel of the Model 1862 Police and the cylinder with the stagecoach scene of the Pocket Navy. The barrel has a period dovetailed blade front sight, the two-line Hartford address, and an ejector fitted on the left. The original slot for a loading lever is filled. The frame is marked with the two-line 1871 and 1872 patent marking, and the trigger guard still has the “36 CAL” marking on the left. All of the visible serial numbers match. CONDITION: Very fine with 90% plus period retailer applied nickel plating remaining and generally only minor age and storage related wear including some light scratches. The grip is also very fine and has smooth varnish finish and minor edge wear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
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