RARE MARTIALLY MARKED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY RICHARDS CONVERSION SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.

SN 181 / 122597. Cal. 44 CF (44 Colt). Nickel finish with 7-13/16″, slightly reduced bbl with nickel silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of bbl lug is marked with a small “US” and inspector initials, including an “A” (Orville W. Ainsworth). Left side of frame is marked with a small “COLTS PATENT”. Frame is 3-screw type cut for shoulder stock with flat head hammer screw. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has the “OWA”, Ainsworth cartouche on left side. Bottom left edge of grip is marked in white ink “274” which usually indicated a museum acquisition mark. Frame has the Richards conversion ring which incorporates the floating firing pin and fixed rear sight. Assembly number on conversion ring and loading gate is “181” which number is overstamped on all of the serial numbers, which appears to have been “122597”. Wedge and cyl were apparently new parts and have only the “181” assembly number. Various parts on revolver have small inspector initials. Ejector housing was especially constructed for these conversions by having a machined plug which filled the old rammer slot to which the ejector housing is attached. According to The Book of Colt Firearms only about 1,200 of these rare revolvers were altered at Springfield Armory for the military. Only a few martially marked specimens have been observed with nickel finish. The Richards conversion was the forerunner to the slightly improved Richards-Mason conversion. These revolvers usually saw extensive hard service on the American Frontier and are rarely found with high orig finish. This revolver, being nickel plated, may have been an Indian Police or Scout sidearm. PROVENANCE: Collection of John Montague. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, all matching, including wedge and cyl, with an indistinguishable number in backstrap channel of grip. Bbl retains about 90% strong orig nickel and ejector housing about 80%. Bbl was shortened prior to plating, probably at the arsenal during the conversion process. Frame and conversion ring retain about 60% orig nickel and cyl about 90% with majority of losses from the front face. Trigger guard retains about 50% orig silver and the backstrap traces of silver, being mostly a gray metal patina. Hammer retains strong case colors. Mechanics are fine. Brilliant shiny bore. 4-53758 JR234 (6,000-10,000) – Lot 3067

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3067	$6,325.00	RARE MARTIALLY MARKED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY RICHARDS CONVERSION SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. SN 181 / 122597. Cal. 44 CF (44 Colt). Nickel finish with 7-13/16″, slightly reduced bbl with nickel silver front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address. Left side of bbl lug is marked with a small “US” and inspector initials, including an “A” (Orville W. Ainsworth). Left side of frame is marked with a small “COLTS PATENT”. Frame is 3-screw type cut for shoulder stock with flat head hammer screw. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has the “OWA”, Ainsworth cartouche on left side. Bottom left edge of grip is marked in white ink “274” which usually indicated a museum acquisition mark. Frame has the Richards conversion ring which incorporates the floating firing pin and fixed rear sight. Assembly number on conversion ring and loading gate is “181” which number is overstamped on all of the serial numbers, which appears to have been “122597”. Wedge and cyl were apparently new parts and have only the “181” assembly number. Various parts on revolver have small inspector initials. Ejector housing was especially constructed for these conversions by having a machined plug which filled the old rammer slot to which the ejector housing is attached. According to The Book of Colt Firearms only about 1,200 of these rare revolvers were altered at Springfield Armory for the military. Only a few martially marked specimens have been observed with nickel finish. The Richards conversion was the forerunner to the slightly improved Richards-Mason conversion. These revolvers usually saw extensive hard service on the American Frontier and are rarely found with high orig finish. This revolver, being nickel plated, may have been an Indian Police or Scout sidearm. PROVENANCE: Collection of John Montague. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, all matching, including wedge and cyl, with an indistinguishable number in backstrap channel of grip. Bbl retains about 90% strong orig nickel and ejector housing about 80%. Bbl was shortened prior to plating, probably at the arsenal during the conversion process. Frame and conversion ring retain about 60% orig nickel and cyl about 90% with majority of losses from the front face. Trigger guard retains about 50% orig silver and the backstrap traces of silver, being mostly a gray metal patina. Hammer retains strong case colors. Mechanics are fine. Brilliant shiny bore. 4-53758 JR234 (6,000-10,000) – Lot 3067 Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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RARE MARTIALLY MARKED COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY RICHARDS CONVERSION SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.