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U.S. Navy Colt Model 1861 Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,750.00 USD
U.S. Navy Colt Model 1861 Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver
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U.S. Navy Colt Model 1861 Navy revolver manufactured in 1862 and converted to .38 Centerfire for the U.S. Navy by Colt between 1873 and 1876 using the Richards-Mason conversion. The revolver has a military blue finish on the barrel, ejector and cylinder, casehardened frame, hammer, conversion ring and loading gate and brass trigger guard and back strap. The one-piece grip is oil-finished walnut. The right side of the barrel lug is fitted with a Mason type ejector housing. The face of the ejector head is stamped with concentric rings. The loading lever hole in the barrel lug has been plugged. The cylinder is fitted with a Richards center-fire conversion ring and loading gate with external spring. The percussion hammer has been converted to center-fire with a screw-in cone-type firing pin. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "- ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-" in one line. The left side of the frame is stamped "-PAT. JULY.25. 1871-/-PAT. JULY. 2. 1972.-" in two lines over the original "COLTS/PATENT" marking. The left shoulder of the trigger guard is stamped "36 CAL". The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLTS PATENT NO.". The underside of the barrel is stamped with the New York Navy Yard conversion inspector's stamp "R.W.M./Anchor.". The original serial number, "9076" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and the back of the loading gate. The cylinder is stamped with the original serial number "4195" and the conversion serial number "9076". All of the visible serial numbers match. The U.S. Navy Richards-Mason conversions are important variations of the Colt Model 1861 Navy revolvers. Purchased by U.S. Navy in limited numbers during the Civil War and converted to cartridge configuration in the 1870s, these revolvers remained in service until they were eventually replaced by the Colt .38 DA revolver in the 1890s.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 38 Colt CF
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 9076
Condition: Fine. The revolver retains 30% of the original blue and casehardened finish remains with the balance of the revolver having a dark age patina. Significant amounts of the original blue finish are present on protected areas of the barrel and ejector housing. The cylinder retains nearly all of the roll-engraved naval scene. The frame, hammer, conversion ring and loading gate have small amounts of the original casehardened finish in protected areas. The brass trigger guard and back strap have traces of protective lacquern with the balance has an attractive age patina. The barrel marking are faint. The 1871/1872 patent markings, serial numbers and Navy inspection marks are sharp. The grip has moderate handling wear and is in very good condition. The action is crisp and functions well. This is a fine original example of a U.S. Navy Colt Model 1861 Navy revolver with Richards conversion and inspection marks.