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LOT 1213
Very Scarce Indian Wars Era Ainsworth Inspected U.S. Contract Colt Model
1860 Army Richards Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 1522, 44 Colt CF cal., 8 inch round bbl.,
blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Approximately 9,000 Model 1860 Army revolvers were converted to the Richards
system by Colt c. 1871-1878, per “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 5B-117). This is one of only a reported 1,126 Colt Model 1860 revolvers
converted to the Richards system for the U.S. Ordnance Department, per page 144 of “A Study of Colt Conversions and Other Percussion Revolvers”
by R. Bruce McDowell. These revolvers are significant, as they formed the initial group of Colt cartridge firearms used by U.S. troops. The historic
Richards revolvers set the stage for the Colt Model 1871/72 Open Top and the ever famous Colt Single Action Army revolver. Most were reportedly
issued to U.S. cavalry units on the frontier during the Indian Wars, most notably the famous 10th Cavalry Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers), and nearly
all saw hard use, with many reaching Mexico and points further south. Surviving examples of Richard’s
conversion U.S. Model 1860 Army revolvers typically show heavy service wear, with this example being above the majority of the
limited surviving examples. 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 many 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 a filler slot in place of the loading lever. “US” is
stamped ahead of U.S. Ordnance Sub-Inspector Orville W. Ainsworth’s “A” inspection mark on the left side of the barrel at the breech, which is also on the side of the cylinder,
and just ahead of the trigger guard. The factory “P” inspection mark is double struck next to Ainsworth’s mark on the cylinder, and there is an “H” inspection stamped on top
of the back strap. German silver blade front sight, one-line New York address marked on top of the barrel, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left of the frame, and the Texas Battle of Campeche Navy scene on the
cylinder. The revolver has some numbers that were restamped at the time of conversion, marked with “1522” and an additional “522” reading the long way on the bottom of the barrel, “1522” (the 1 is faint) on the frame, “98112”
above “146” on the trigger guard and wedge, “522” on the butt, cylinder, conversion plate, and loading gate, with “641” on the loading lever filler slot. Includes a dual cavity bullet mold (incorrect for model) marked “COLT’S/PATENT”
on the sprue cutter.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% blue finish on the barrel and ejector rod housing, 30% blue finish on the back strap, traces of blue finish on the cylinder, 40% case colors on the frame, hammer, and conversion plate, 20% silver plated
finish concentrated around the trigger guard with bright golden patina on the brass, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance of the iron, and a crisp cylinder scene. Grip is very good, with some slightly undersized lower
corners, handling marks, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. These revolvers rarely turn up, making this a rare opportunity to acquire a fine representative example of one!
Estimate: 6,500 - 11,000
LOT 1214
Scarce Early Production Three-Digit Serial
Number Colt Model 1871-1872 Open Top Single Action Revolver
with Desirable Navy Size Grip - Serial no. 165, 44 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut grips. Only approximately 7,000 Model 1871-1872 Open Top revolvers
were manufactured c. 1872-1873, per “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 5B-133, 5B-134, 5B-135). This example has the scarce
Colt Model 1851 Navy size trigger guard, back strap, and grip. The Model 1871-1872 Open Top was a direct predecessor of the hugely
successful Colt Single Action Army Revolver, and these were some of the first Colt cartridge revolvers available in the West. These revolvers often
saw hard use on the western frontier, remaining in use as working guns well into the period of dominance of the Single Action Army. The top of
the barrel is marked “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-”. The left side of the frame is marked with the two-line 1871 and 1872
patent markings, and the cylinder is roll engraved with the Naval Battle of Campeche scene and “COLTS PATENT No 296”. Matching visible serial
numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and cylinder, with assembly number “146” on the loading gate. Includes a Colt archive states that factory shipment records
were unable to be located for this revolver.
CONDITION: Good, with some antiqued brown and gray patina, some scattered patches of light pitting, and 20% original silver plating concentrated on the backstrap with golden aged patina on the
exposed brass. Grip is very good, with handling marks, a chip at the bottom left front corner, and defined edges. Mechanically functions.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,500 227