This is an example of a factory conversion of a Model 1861 Navy percussion revolver. The conversion is the same as the Richards-Mason conversion done on the Model 1860 Army revolvers. It consists of plugging the loading lever hole and attaching of an ejector housing by a screw running through the left side of the barrel lug, modification of the cylinder, identical to the 1851 Navy, a center fire firing pin is attached through a center slot on the face of the hammer, installation of a breech plate, (so called Third Model), without integral rear sight and a loading gate attached by a screw through a hole in the base of the gate; the gate is held open or shut by a flat spring screwed to the frame. The top of the barrel is marked "--ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S.AMERICA--", the left side of the frame is marked with the two line, two July patent dates and the cylinder is roll engraved with the naval engagement scene and marked "COLTS PATENT NO 486" with factory stamped "393" below the 486. The complete matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap, and the loading gate is numbered "1393. Writer was unable to remove the wedge to check the numbers on the wedge and cylinder pin. Blade front and hammer notch rear sights, nickel finish with silver plated brass trigger guard and back strap and fitted with a smooth varnished one-piece walnut grip. Provenance: The Phillip Otto Clark Collection

Fine. The revolver retains 70% original nickel finish with some high edge wear, and some minor flaking and pitting on the barrel, cylinder and breech plate. The trigger guard and back strap retain 30% original silver plating in protected of the butt areas and a pleasant aged patina on the exposed brass. The cylinder scene is mostly visible and the markings are clear. The grip is also fine with patches of the original varnish remaining, and showing wear on the lower edges, a tiny chip on each toe and a few minor handling marks. Mechanically fine.