This is a very good example of the “Type-II,” “Second Model,” or “Transition Model” of the Richards conversion of the Colt 1860 Army revolver. The serial number 183791 matches throughout, including the cylinder and rear of the loading gate, giving it an 1869 date of production. This falls within the second group of Armies so altered and listed by Flayderman as falling in the 167000 to 200614 range. The designation as Type-II, Transitional, and Second Model derives from its use of the barrel and ejector of the Richards combined with the conversion plate and hammer of the Richards-Mason, which did not require a rebounding firing pin, omitted the integral rear sight on the conversion plate, and enabled the hammer to fire center fire or rimfire.

Colt was able to start producing these revolvers with the expiration in 1868 of Smith and Wesson’s patent on centerfire cartridges and the expiration of White’s patent on bored-through cylinders in 1869, and they replaced the less-than-optimum Thuer Colt conversions. In the main, the alteration consisted of removing the percussion nipples from the cylinder to create bored-through chambers that were reamed out to accept the metallic cartridge. A base plate or “conversion ring” was installed in the frame along with a loading gate and the ratchet recut on the rear of the cylinder and fitted with a new hand.

The metal is smooth, with clear markings, showing a few dings on the left side of the barrel opposite the ejector housing, and on the right side around the wedge. The barrel is clearly stamped, -ADDRESS COL. SAML. COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA- The cylinder has some dings, but the Texan-Mexican naval battle scene is very visible, with some rubs, as is some of the motto in small letters reading, “ENGAGED 16 [M….]” along the front edge of the cylinder and COLT’S PATENT followed by the serial number. The left side of the frame is clearly stamped in two lines: - PAT. JULY. 25, 1871-  over  -PAT.  JULY. 2, 1872- . The left rear of the triggerguard is clearly stamped .44 CAL. Barrel and cylinder show mostly a thin caramel brown, but with blue evident on the lower rear of the barrel assembly and rear, rebated portion of the cylinder, and upper backstrap behind the hammer, with some faint hints of faded case on the frame. The brass shows some silver wash on the triggerguard. The grips are excellent with nice color and varnish. The backstrap and buttstrap show silver with brown spots from handling. The screw slots are good, with a couple showing some signs of turning.

This is a very nice, early western pistol, complete and all original, in very good condition, and is key arm in the development of the Colt.    [sr] [ph:L]

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