Colt 1860 First Model Richards
Converted Percussion
For Sale $5,000

Colt 1860 First Model Richards
Converted Percussion

Make: Colt

Model: 1860 First Model Richards, Converted Percussion

Serial Number: 198286

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1868-1871

Caliber: .44 Colt (Centerfire)

Action Type: Single Action Side-Loading Gate Cartridge Conversion Revolver

Barrel Length: 8”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch integral to the cylinder conversion ring.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece smooth walnut. There is scattered finish wear and discoloration. The bottom of the grip has patches of what appear to be residue, but may be discolored finish. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are small losses at the bottom-front corners. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color and Silver-Plated Brass

Finish Originality: Original. The loading gate appears to have a non-matching number, but this may be an assembly number. We have not removed the trigger guard from the frame and were not able to remove the ejector housing to inspect for additional markings.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well-defined rifling. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. The bore rates about 5/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 30% of its metal finish. Most remaining finish is blue on the barrel in protected areas or around raised features. There is a little silver plate remaining in protected areas of the trigger guard and infrequent other scattered finish. Most surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform patina with some scattered minor oxidation. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a vintage leather holster, appearing contemporary to the revolver.

Notes: The latter half of the 19th century saw incredible developments in firearms technology, as various types of self-contained cartridge arms and repeating arms were invented. Some manufacturers and gunsmiths took advantage of the large supply of percussion revolvers, converting them to use cartridges. Colt's was no exception, with their most notable conversion types being the Thuer, Richards and Richards-Mason conversions. This example is an 1860 First Model Richards, Converted Percussion, a cartridge revolver produced at the Colt factory by converting parts on hand for the percussion Model 1860. The revolver appears to have matching serialized parts, we suspect the loading gate has an assembly number rather than a serial number. The revolver has quite strong mechanics given its age and the typical condition of these revolvers. As more modern cartridge guns became available, many of these conversions made their ways to parts of the world which were less advanced, and they typically saw rough use and poor maintenance once they got there. The Richards conversion involved plugging the channel for the loading rod assembly with an ejector assembly and installing a plate on the recoil shield which housed the loading gate assembly as well as taking up the space of the nipple portion of the cylinder which was not needed for use with cartridges. The First Model had a firing pin mounted to the cylinder conversion plate while later models had a firing pin added to the hammer. Especially given the heavy use these revolvers typically saw on the 19th century frontier, it is uncommon to find conversions of any type in reasonable condition. This is a very neat example and will add to even advanced Colt and early cartridge revolver collections.