Antique Custom Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion .44 Centerfire Revolver
SOLD FOR: $1,736.00
LSB#: LSB260502AH044
Make: Colt
Model: 1860 Army
Serial Number: 191763
Year of Manufacture: 1871 / Antique (Colt Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .44 Centerfire
Action Type: Single Action Revolver, 1st Model Richards Conversion, 6-Shot Cylinder.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-“. The left side of the frame is marked “-PAT. JULY. 25, 1871-” / “PAT. JULY. 2, 1872-“. The left side of the trigger guard frame is marked “44 CAL”. The cylinder is marked with the Battle of Campeche, “COLTS PATENT No. 1763”. The loading gate and the bottom of the cylinder pin are marked with the inspection mark “1169”. The barrel lug, frame, trigger guard frame, and bottom of the grip strap are all marked with the serial number “191763”.
Barrel Length: 5 1/8″ Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a ‘V’ notch in the conversion ring which is visible when fully cocked.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece smooth bone. There are scattered scratches and compression dings. There are superficial cracks along the bone grains. The grip does not fit tight to the frame and moves forward to backward approximately 1/8″. Overall, the grips rate Fair condition for their age.
Type of Finish: Nickel Plated
Finish Originality: Original to custom build
Bore Condition: The bore is dull. The rifling is defined. There is erosion and pitting throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bores rate 5/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 80% of its nickel finish. There are scratches and compression marks. There is finish loss along the muzzle, barrel lug area, frame sides, conversion ring, and the leading edges of the cylinder. There are areas of the finish that are crackling. The plated frontstrap is losing finish, revealing brass. There is a turn line on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to tooled. Overall, this revolver rates in Fair condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, though there are structural issues. The conversion ring has a crack behind the loading gate, against the cylinder pin. The loading gate does not stay closed. The ejector rod head does not stay secure against the barrel and hangs down slightly. The wedge pin does not sit tight in the slot. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements. With this revolver being an antique, it is highly recommended to consult a qualified gunsmith before attempting to fire.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Wooden display/storage case and a Texas Mexican Railway Police badge.
Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1860 Army was the primary revolver carried by Union forces during the American Civil War and remains one of Samuel Colt’s most influential handgun designs. Chambered originally in .44 percussion, its streamlined frame and rebated cylinder provided greater power while maintaining manageable handling characteristics. Following the expiration of Rollin White’s bored-through cylinder patent and the widespread adoption of metallic cartridges, Colt began converting thousands of surplus percussion revolvers into cartridge arms using systems designed by Charles Richards and later William Mason. The First Model Richards Conversion, introduced in 1871, featured a breech plate with an integral rear sight, loading gate, ejector assembly, and newly chambered cylinder for .44 centerfire cartridges. These factory conversions bridged the gap between Colt’s percussion era and the introduction of the famed Single Action Army in 1873, and today they are highly sought after for their historical significance and comparatively limited production. Customized examples, especially those altered during the frontier period, provide an additional glimpse into the practical modifications made by their owners during the late 19th century.
This antique Colt 1860 Army First Model Richards Conversion has been customized with a shortened 5 1/8″ barrel, one-piece bone grip, and nickel-plated finish, giving it a distinctive frontier appearance. The revolver retains approximately 80% of its nickel finish with scattered handling wear, flaking plating, and exposed brass on the frontstrap. The bore remains serviceable with defined rifling despite significant erosion and pitting, while the action functions correctly but exhibits several structural and mechanical concerns, including a cracked conversion ring, loose wedge, unsecured ejector rod head, and loading gate that will not remain closed. Accompanied by a wooden display case and a Texas Mexican Railway Police badge, this revolver is best suited as a collectible display piece representing the working life of a heavily used and period-customized Colt conversion rather than as a shooter. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY