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Rare New York Engraved Colt Model 1860 Richards Conversion Revolver with Pearl Grips

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:8,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Rare New York Engraved Colt Model 1860 Richards Conversion Revolver with Pearl Grips
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Estimate: $20000 - 40000
Colt Model 1860 Richards Conversion revolver manufactured c.1871-1878. The revolver has a nickel-plated barrel, cylinder, frame, hammer and back strap, silver-plated brass trigger guard, casehardened hammer and niter blue trigger with one-piece, mother-of-pearl grip. The revolver is embellished with Germanic scroll engraving on a punch-dot background on the top of the barrel and muzzle, frame and conversion ring, a shell pattern on the top of the back strap and a wavy line and punch-dot on the ejector housing. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend: "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-" in a single line. "COLTS/PATENT" is roll-stamped on the left side of the frame in an engraved panel. "44 CAL" is stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard and a small "C" is stamped on the left trigger guard bow. The six-stop, rebated, cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLT'S PATENT NO." The full serial number, "198449" is located on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The cylinder is stamped "1910". The revolver has the Richards ejector housing with cross-hatched ejector rod head, distinctive Richards conversion ring with integral rear sight, loading gate with internal spring and hammer with cross-hatched, bordered and underlined spur. Engraved Colt Model 1860 Richards Conversion revolvers are extremely rare. In "THE BOOK OF COLT FIREARMS" Colt expert R.L Wilsons states that most of the few known engraved Richards conversion revolvers were engraved outside of the Colt factory, primarily by Schuyler, Hartley and Graham of New York City. The chief engraver for Schuyler, Hartley and Graham was the celebrated Louis D. Nimschke.
BBL: 8 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 44 CF
Finish: nickel
Grips: pearl
Serial Number: 198449
Condition: Very good as period embellished in the New York style, with 80% plus nickel remaining, with small spots of discoloration, minor pitting on the rear of the ejector housing and dings around the wedge. The cylinder scene and markings are clear. 50% of the original, well aged silver is present on the trigger guard, strongest in the protected areas with an antique patina to the exposed brass. Grips are excellent, with some minor chips, scratches and handling marks. Mechanically very good.