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LOT 3117
Indian War Era U.S. Contract Colt Richard’s Conversion Model 1860
Army Revolver - Serial no. 371, 44 CF cal., 7 7/8 inch bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut grips. This is an extremely rare example of a U.S. Contract Colt
Model 1860 Army percussion revolver that was originally manufactured in 1863
and subsequently converted to cartridge configuration by Colt, using the Richards
system in 1871-1872. A total of 1,138 Colt 1860 Army percussion revolvers were
delivered in this manner to the U.S. Ordnance Department. Most of the revolvers
were issued to cavalry units on the frontier, most notably the famous 10th Cavalry
Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers), and saw hard use. Surviving examples of U.S. Richard’s
conversion Model 1860 Army revolvers are rare and inevitably show heavy service
wear. This revolver has the standard Richards modifications which include the
barrel shortened to 7 7/8 inches with flat crowned muzzle, ejector housing added
to the right side of the barrel lug and loading lever slot and secured with a screw
from left side of the lug, cross-hatched ejector rod head, modified cylinder with
six stops, Richards conversion ring with integral rear sight, modified hammer
and loading gate with internal spring. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped
with the legend “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-”. A
“U.S.” property mark is stamped on the left side of the barrel lug just above
and ahead of the wedge slot. “COLTS/PATENT” is stamped on the left side
of the frame. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene
and “COLTS PAT No.” Single letter inspection marks are stamped on various
components, these marks include a “B” stamped on the underside of the
barrel just ahead of the ejector housing cut-out. “A” and “H/H” on the left side
of the barrel lug behind the wedge slot. “A” on the bottom of the trigger guard
below the cylinder, “H” on the top of the grip strap and “A”, “PP” on the cylinder.
The original serial number is stamped on the bottom of the barrel, frame, and
trigger guard. The conversion serial number, “371” is stamped on the bottom of the
ejector housing,
the underside of the barrel
behind the loading lever slot, the
bottom of the barrel lug, bottom of the
trigger guard, bottom of the back strap,
cylinder, the conversion ring and the
outside of the loading gate. All of the serial
numbers match and are correct for a U.S.
Richards Conversion revolver. The revolver has a
one-piece oil-finished walnut grip. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with
the script initials of the Ordnance Sub-Inspector “OWA” (Orville W. Ainsworth) in a
rectangle with rounded ends.
CONDITION: Very good. The revolver has an even plum brown patina on the barrel,
ejector housing cylinder/conversion ring, hammer and back strap. Traces of the
original casehardened finish are visible on the frame. The sides on the barrel lug
have minor dents and scratches on the vicinity of the wedge slot. The cylinder
retains most of the naval scene and has traces of flash pitting on the face. The
brass trigger guard has a mellow un-polished patina. The grip is good overall
with a few minor dents and scratches. The Ordnance inspection mark on the left
heel is faint but legible. The barrel, frame, cylinder markings and the serial numbers
are sharp. Mechanically fine. This is a very good example of a U.S. Contract Model 1860
Army Richards Conversion revolver that is seldom encountered
as they saw extensive usage!
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
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