Colt 1860 Army Richards-Mason Conversion 44 Colt CF Revolver 8” Antique

SOLD FOR: $2,525.00

LSB#: LSB250601SP007

Make: Colt

Model: 1860 Army Richards-Mason Conversion

Serial Number: 198037

Year of Manufacture: Antique (Originally manufactured in 1872, converted post-war)

Caliber: .44 Colt Centerfire

Action Type: Single Action Revolver

Barrel Length: 8?

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked with a single-line address. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the classic Colt naval battle scene. The conversion ring has a rear sight notch. The bottom of the bottom of the barrel, frame, grip frame, and butt strap are each marked “198037”. The rear of the extra grip is penciled “37082”. The loading gate is marked “3667”.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a German silver blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch in the conversion ring.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece walnut, showing wear and signs of use consistent with age. The grips fit a little shy to the frame–evidence of sanding and shrinkage. Despite the wear, the grips remain securely attached and structurally sound.  Overall, the grip rates in Very Good condition. 

This revolver comes with an extra wooden grip. There is some more general handling wear, with gradual finish loss toward the bottom of the grip and around  the edges. There are no cracks. There is some minor losses along the edges, primarily in the corners. Overall, this grip rates in Good condition. 

Type of Finish: Case Color, Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Finish Condition: This revolver retains about none of its finish. There is very faint case color in the frame and hammer which has turned a silvery color. There are intermittent patches of erosion. The markings are mostly clear and legible. Most of the finish has turned a light patina. Overall, this pistol rates in Good condition. 

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with sharp rifling. There is some erosion present, but it remains in good condition for its age. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7/10.

Mechanics: The action is tight and crisp. The hammer holds securely at half- and full-cock, the cylinder indexes properly, and the trigger breaks cleanly. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None. 

Our Assessment: The Colt 1860 Army Richards-Mason Conversion represents a fascinating transitional period in firearms history, bridging the gap between percussion revolvers and the metallic cartridge era. Originally manufactured in 1872 as a percussion .44, this revolver was later converted by Colt using the Richards-Mason system to fire .44 Colt centerfire cartridges—a significant leap forward in reliability, reload speed, and practicality for post–Civil War shooters. The conversion retained much of the original percussion frame, barrel, and grip shape while adding a conversion ring with loading gate, an ejector rod, and a rear sight notch. The result was a proven, battle-tested design adapted to the new metallic cartridge technology.

This example shows the honest wear of a 150-year-old revolver, with a smooth gray patina, traces of original case coloring, and a sharp bore that rates 7/10 for its age. The mechanics remain sound, with a tight action, crisp trigger, and proper cylinder indexing. The original one-piece walnut grip shows age-appropriate shrinkage and wear, and the revolver comes with an extra grip for display or fitting. For collectors, this Colt is more than just an antique—it’s a tangible piece of the evolution from percussion to cartridge arms, and an artifact of the ingenuity that defined the American West and post-war frontier. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.