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LOT 1168
Exceptionally Fine and Highly Attractive
Colt Richards-Mason Model 1860 Army Conversion Revolver - Serial no.
7012, 44 CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Only 2,100 Richards-Mason conversions were completed around 1877-1878. These revolvers
were manufactured by assembling partially finished Model 1860 Army percussion revolver parts. This revolver falls in the
correct serial number range of 5800-7900 for this style of conversion. It correctly has a breech plate without rear sight and a notch for
the hammer to strike the centerfire cartridge, modified percussion barrel with smaller lug than the previous Richards conversion, and no
rim on the conversion plate like the Richards conversions. It has a the one line Hartford barrel address, blade and hammer notch sights,
the 1871 and 1872 patent dates on the left side of the frame, “44 CAL” on the trigger guard, and the naval battle scene on the cylinder.
Matching numbers are present on the barrel, frame, cylinder, trigger guard, and back strap. The loading gate is marked “1074”.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 50% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish, 85% plus of the vibrant original case colors, and 95% plus of the original silver with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and a few small patches of light surface pitting. The grip is excellentwith some scattered light handling marks and retaining almost all of the varnish. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 1169
Exceptional U.S. Navy Cartridge Conversion Colt Model 1861 Navy Revolver - Serial no. 2903, 38 Colt
CF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/bright finish, walnut grips. This incredible revolver was originally
manufactured in 1861 and is one of just a few hundred ‘61 Navies purchased for the U.S. Navy during the Civil War and
was then subsequently converted for the navy in the mid-1870s. These were then used through the late 19th century before
being replaced by the Colt Model 1889 Navy and New Navy revolvers. By this period, handguns were not seen as necessary for naval forces
since boarding operations during wartime had become exceedingly rare and officials felt that edged weapons were just as suitable for the
rare instances that did occur. The navy was also very small going into the Civil War, and Samuel Colt had to work hard to even get small
orders for the U.S. Navy in the 1850s. After the war, the navy was reduced by nearly ten times its wartime size down to just 6,000 men, so converting the revolvers they
had on hand was more realistic than spending funds to purchase new revolvers that weren’t likely to see use anyways. This stunning example has a German silver blade
front sight, the New York barrel address, “R.W.M.” and an anchor on the bottom of the barrel at the breech, “PAT. JULY. 25, 1871./PAT. JULY. 2, 1872.” on the left side of the frame along with traces of the original “COLT/PATENT” marking, “36 CAL” on the left side of the trigger guard, “59018/2903” on the cylinder, “2903” on the loading gate, barrel, frame, grip straps, and grip.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 85% plus of the vibrant Colt factory case colors remaining on the frame and hammer, 75% plus factory blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, and cylinder; attractive aged patina on the brass grip straps, and fairly minor age and storage related wear overall. Aside from divot on the right side at the edge, the grip is fine and has minor marks and scratches and smooth oiled finish. Mechanically excellent. This revolver is extraordinarily fine for a U.S. Navy conversion revolver and will enhance any U.S. military collection greatly!
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
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