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Rare and Desirable Colt Richards Conversion Revolver with 12-Stop Cylinder

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:5,500.00 USD Estimated At:11,000.00 - 16,000.00 USD
Rare and Desirable Colt Richards Conversion Revolver with 12-Stop Cylinder
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Estimate: $11000 - 16000
This is a very fine example of a 12 cylinder stop variation Colt Richards Conversion Revolver that was manufactured c. 1873. The 12-stop cylinder was intended to allow the cylinder to be locked in a safe position that permitted the hammer to rest between chambers. Because the 12-stop cylinders tended to jam, Colt quickly abandoned the 12-stop cylinders for more conventional 6-stop cylinders on Richards Conversion revolvers. Surviving examples are rare; Bruce McDowell states in "A STUDY OF COLT CONVERSIONS" that a 30-year survey of Colt Richards revolvers identified approximately two dozen Richards revolvers with 12-stop cylinders. In addition to the distinctive cylinder, this revolver has the following characteristics associated with 12-Stop Richards revolvers that include a bordered underlined hammer knurling, small (percussion size) hammer screw, internal loading gate spring, external assembly numbers on the breech plate and loading gate and uncrowned barrel with New York address. The barrel, ejector, cylinder conversion ring and back strap have the Colt commercial blue finish. The frame and hammer are color casehardened and the trigger guard is brass. The one-piece walnut grip has a high polish vanish finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA." in one line. The forward portion of the cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLTS PATENT" markings. "COLTS/PATENT" is roll-stamped in two lines on the left side of the frame. "44 CAL" is stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. The full serial number "1632" is located on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and backstrap. The cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number "632". The assembly number "320" is stamped on the outside of the breech plate and loading gate.
BBL: 8 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 44 CF
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 1632
Condition: Very fine. The revolver retains 60% of the original blue and casehardened finish. Considerable amounts of the high polish blue finish are visible on protected areas of the barrel, ejector housing, rebated portion of the cylinder and the back strap. There are numerous scattered dings present on the right side of the barrel lug below the wedge slot. The cylinder retains nearly all of the roll-engraved naval battle scene. The serial numbers, assembly numbers and other markings are crisp. Traces of casehardened finish are visible on the frame and hammer; the balance of the casehardened finish has faded to a mottled dark gray patina. The brass trigger guard is very good and has not been polished. The grip is excellent and retains 90% of the high gloss piano finish with minor finish loss concentrated on the lower edges of the slightly worn grip heels. This is a very fine original example of an exceptionally rare Colt 12-Stop Richards Conversion revolver. One does not find this variation very often!