Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion .44 Caliber. 8” Revolver, 1874 Antique

SOLD FOR: $1,935.00

LSB#: LSB250601SP028

Make: Colt

Model: U.S. Model 1860 Army 1st Richards Conversion

Serial Number: 198542 (Grip Frame), 199542 (In front of the trigger guard).

Year of Manufacture: 1873 forever thing but the bronze trigger guard. The trigger guard was manufactured in 1872.

Caliber: .44 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “ADDRESS COL. SAM COLT NEW-YORK U.S AMERICA-”. The left of the frame is marked COLTS / PATENT”. The bottom of the frame in front of the trigger guard is marked “199542”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “44 CAL”. The trigger guard is marked “198542”. The bottom of the ejector rod housing is marked “199542”. The rear of the loading gate has assembly number “1232”. The cylinder is marked “COLTS PATENT No 9542” and “ENGRAVED 16 MAY 1843”, the engraving is of navel battle. The bottom of the butt of the grip is marked “198 / 542”.

Barrel Length: 8?

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integrated in the cylinder housing.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is two-piece smooth walnut. The grip has mild handling wear with a few scattered light nicks and scuffs. There are more notable nicks and dings on the bottom of the grip.  There are no cracks or chips.  Overall, the grip is in Fine condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued, Case Colored

Finish Originality: Original, possibly arsenal refurbished

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with worn rifling. There is rust near the muzzle and scattered erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10 for antique. 

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 30% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is scattered and mottled with wear and light erosion. There is handling wear in the grip areas, trigger and hammer. Worn areas have generally gone to a patina. The frame has some faintly visible case color. There are scattered nicks, scuffs, scrapes, and scratches. The action shows operational wear including a thick turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to heavily tooled. The markings range from clear to lightly worn but legible in most places. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The cylinder has little to lots of play when locked. The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire 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 1860 Army Richards Conversion revolver occupies a pivotal place in the story of Colt’s evolution from percussion to metallic cartridge revolvers. Developed during the early 1870s, these conversions were Colt’s answer to the growing demand for metallic cartridge arms after the expiration of the Rollin White patent. Rather than design an entirely new firearm, Colt expertly adapted surplus 1860 percussion revolvers to fire .44 Colt cartridges by modifying the frame, fitting a breechplate with a loading gate, and installing an ejector rod assembly. This example is a textbook First Model Richards Conversion, distinguished by its rebated cylinder, case-hardened frame, and iconic 8-inch barrel.

This revolver, assembled in 1873 with a trigger guard manufactured in 1872, remains in Very Good condition as an antique. It retains approximately 30% of its original finish with scattered areas of patina and light erosion consistent with its age and military service. The cylinder still bears the faint naval battle scene and “ENGRAVED 16 MAY 1843” marking—a hallmark of the 1860 Army lineage. Serial numbers across major components are mismatched but fall within a logical range for a conversion, suggesting authentic period assembly rather than a modern parts gun. The walnut grips show expected wear but remain free of cracks or major damage. Mechanically, the action functions correctly with a crisp trigger, though the cylinder shows varied degrees of play. For collectors of early Colt cartridge revolvers, U.S. martial sidearms, or transitional-era firearms, this Richards Conversion offers rich historical value and classic Colt aesthetics from the frontier and post-Civil War period. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – N.P.