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Very Fine Colt 1860 Percussion Revolver with Richards Conversion

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Very Fine Colt 1860 Percussion Revolver with Richards Conversion
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Estimate: $10000 - 15000
This is an excellent example of a Colt 1860 Army revolver that has been factory fitted with a Richards conversion unit. This example is of the original first models and was one of the very last pistols produced with this conversion unit. It is theorized that these late conversions were all based on using up the left over 1860 percussion pistol that still remained at the Colt factory. This type of conversion was performed by supplying a new cylinder, in the Colt 44 CF cartridge and fitting it with a new cylinder ring in front of the recoil shield and installing a new loading gate on the frame with an internal spring. The revolver has late pattern round crown. The loading lever has been replaced with an ejector housing on the right side of the barrel lug, which has the cross-hatched ejector head. The conversion breech plate has a firing pin and integral rear sight, however has no assembly number on the outside of the ring. The hammer face is milled flat and the spur is cross-hatched with no border. The revolver has a three-screw frame, brass trigger guard and iron back strap and one-piece, oil-finished, walnut grip. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend: "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-". The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy scene and "COLT'S PATENT NO. 0011". The left side of the frame is rolled marked: "COLTS/PATENT" in two lines. The full serial number "200011" is stamped on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The assembly number "489" is located only on the loading gate, and the ejector housing and wedge are unnumbered.
BBL: 8 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 44 CF
Finish: blue/case colors
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 200011
Condition: Very fine overall with 70% of the original Colt blue finish remaining on the barrel, cylinder, ejector housing, and back strap, with the balance having turned a light brown patina mixed with some spotting on the top of the barrel and front section of the cylinder, with some oxidation on the back strap. The frame, rear cylinder ring, and hammer all retain 60% of a mottled color casehardened finish overall with more vivid case colors in the protected areas. The one-piece walnut grip is in fine condition with minimal handling marks anywhere, showing an old revarnished finish with some loss of the wood up next to the rear edges of the frame. Certainly a very fine example of a 1860 Colt revolver with the Richards conversion.