Antique Colt 1861 Navy .38 Colt Richards-Mason Conversion Revolver MFD 1861

SOLD FOR: $1,908.89

LSB#: LSB260502AH043

Make: Colt

Model: 1861 Navy , Richards-Mason conversions were first used in the early 1870’s

Serial Number: 4111

Year of Manufacture: 1861 / Antique (Colt Serial Number Lookup)

Caliber: .38 Colt, Centerfire, Richards-Mason Type III Conversion

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with a 6-Shot Cylinder and Loading Gate

Barrel Length: 7.5″ / Round

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-“. The left side of the frame is faintly marked “COLTS PATENT”, and “PAT. JULY. 25. 1871.” / “PAT. JULY. 2. 1872”. The left shoulder of the trigger guard is marked “36 CAL” which is the percussion-era stamp before the conversion. The barrel lug, frame, the bottom of the cylinder pin, interior of the wood grip, rear face of the cylinder, and trigger guard are marked with a matching serial number of “4111”. The top of the cylinder pin and loading gate are marked “1285”. The cylinder is marked with the Battle of Campeche naval scene, “COLTS PATENT No. 4534”. 

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a V-notch in the hammer which is visible when cocked.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one piece smooth walnut. There are handling scratches, compression dents scattered throughout. There is a chip out of the front bottom corners on both sides. There are no cracks. Overall this grip is in Very Good condition. 

Type of Finish: Blued. Case Hardened, Brass

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is defined. There is shallow pitting present. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7.5/10. 

Overall Condition: The finish on this revolver has turned to a patina. There are scattered handling scratches and compression dings throughout. There are a few spots of corrosion staining. There are tool marks around the wedge pin. There is finish loss at the muzzle and the leading edges. The brass is showing light oxidation. There is a turn line on the cylinder. The action shows operational wear. The markings range from worn to legible. Overall, this revolver is in Good-Very Good condition for antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lockup is tight with minimal play at each chamber. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment:  The Colt Model 1861 Navy was introduced as a streamlined successor to the Model 1851 Navy, retaining the earlier revolver’s .36-caliber, six-shot mechanism while adopting a round barrel, improved loading lever, and styling influenced by the larger Model 1860 Army. Production began at the outset of the Civil War, with fewer than 40,000 examples manufactured, making the 1861 Navy substantially scarcer than either the 1851 Navy or 1860 Army. After metallic-cartridge patent restrictions expired, Colt engineers Charles Richards and William Mason developed systems for converting obsolete percussion revolvers into practical breech-loading arms with bored-through cylinders, loading gates, ejector assemblies, and cartridge-compatible firing systems. Approximately 2,200 Model 1861 Navy revolvers are estimated to have received Richards-Mason alterations, placing surviving examples among the scarcer Colt factory cartridge conversions. These revolvers represent an important transitional step between Colt’s percussion designs and purpose-built cartridge arms such as the Model 1871-72 Open Top and Single Action Army.

This antique example is built around an early 1861-production Model 1861 Navy and was subsequently converted to fire .38 Colt centerfire ammunition. Its matching frame, barrel lug, trigger guard, cylinder pin component, and walnut grip provide encouraging evidence that much of the original percussion revolver remains together, while its conversion components and naval-scene cylinder exhibit differing numbers. The revolver now displays an attractive, naturally aged patina with scattered handling wear, corrosion staining, tool marks near the wedge, and oxidation on the brass. Its mostly bright 7.5/10 bore, defined rifling, tight chamber lockup, functional action, and generally legible markings make it an appealing example of Colt’s transition from cap-and-ball ignition to the metallic-cartridge era. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY