The historic Richards revolvers set the stage for the Colt Model 1871//72 Open Top and the ever famous Colt Single Action Army revolver. This ultra rare, Ainsworth inspected, nickel-plated Colt First Model Richards "Model Gun" was manufactured from new components c. 1871 and is chambered for .44 Colt centerfire. This revolver pattern was designed by Charles B. Richard, assistant factory superintendent of the Colt factory. The design efficiently transforms the iconic Colt Model 1860 Army of the Civil War into a then state of the art single action centerfire revolver by replacing the loading lever with an ejector, fitting a breech loading cylinder, installing a recoil shield/conversion plate with an integral notch rear sight and hinged loading gate as well as a bushed firing pin, and using a modified hammer. Only 1,126 Colt Model 1860 revolvers converted to the Richards system for the U.S. Ordnance Department. Per R. Bruce McDowell on page 152-153 of "A Study of Colt Conversions and Other Percussion Revolvers", there were only 130 new frames made into US Richard's. These revolvers can be picked out as they had not been cut for a shoulder stock and have only one serial number. It has been further estimated that only 50 "Model Gun" were originally made for trials. These revolvers thus represent only a small percentage of the approximately 9,000 "conversions" that were manufactured c. 1871-1878 using the Richards system. Most of the U.S. contract revolvers were reportedly issued to U.S. cavalry units on the frontier, most notably the famous 10th Cavalry Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers). Nearly all of the examples known today show signs of considerable frontier use, but this example remains in considerably higher condition. This revolver has U.S. Ordnance Inspector Orville W. Ainsworth's "A" inspection mark on the left side of the barrel at the breech, on the side of the cylinder, and just ahead of the trigger guard. The factory "P" inspection mark is double struck next to Ainsworth's mark on the cylinder, and there is a "T" inspection stamped at the front of the cylinder. In addition, an "M" is stamped above the serial number on the barrel and below the serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The matching serial number "1165" visible on the cylinder, recoil shield, loading gate, ejector, barrel lug and barrel lug flat, trigger guard, and back strap. The revolver also features a German silver blade front sight, notch rear sight on the recoil shield, ejector with knurled "C" shaped button and rounded rod tips, the one-line "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-" barrel address, the classic naval battle scene and "COLTS PATENT No" marking on the cylinder, "COLTS/PATENT" on the left side of the frame, "44 CAL" on the left side of the trigger guard, and bordered and underlined knurling. According to McDowell on page 150 of "A Study of Colt Conversions and Other Percussion Revolvers", "it is strongly believed, though not substantiated that the letter 'M' designates 'Model Gun'". On page 148 he wrote, "Model guns were produced and shipped to the Ordnance Department for their approval. Such guns are indicated in Ordnance letters from Dyer (Brevet Major General A.B. Dyer. Chief of Ordnance). Specifically, there are only two of these model guns known to the author, serial numbers 1216 and 1201 with all numbers matching. Number 1216 is in the collection at the Smithsonian Institution, complete with all documentation and 1201 is in a private collection. All major parts of both guns are stamped with single four digit numbers, meaning that the serial numbers and assembly numbers are the same... Notice that the gate is numbered externally and has an internal spring. Uncommon to the U.S. Richards, the ejector rod tip is rounded... The hammer spur has a bordered and underlined knurl, possibly one of the revolvers replacement hammers reported in the October 7 Day Journal entry." On page 154 he wrote, "Because of the extreme rarity of the U.S. Richards with matching serial numbers (on two known to the author), it is believed that these particular guns were those carried by officers, and sent back to Colt by those officers for conversion by the Richards system". This revolver matches McDowell's description as well as those discussed by Charles Pate in "The 'M' Marked Colt Richards Conversion" in "The Gun Report" Vol. 52 No. 9 from February 2007 which also references serial number 1148. This revolver is in remarkable condition compared to the other examples and the wider U.S. contract Richards revolvers.

Fine with 50% original nickel plating remaining and concentrated primarily on the barrel, cylinder, and trigger guard; smooth gray patina on most of the balance along with smaller dark patches, small patches of oxidation/pitting, and fairly mild overall wear. The grip is also fine and has moderate lower edge wear, hammering marks on the butt, and some scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent.