This is an excellent example of a Colt 1860 Army revolver that has been factory fitted with a Richards conversion unit. This revolver is a Second Model conversion, a transition type between the Richards and Richards-Mason models. These revolvers are found in the 170,000-200,000 serial number range. This type of conversion was performed by supplying a new cylinder, in the Colt 44 CF cartridge, fitting it with a new cylinder ring in front of the recoil shield and installing a new loading gate on the frame with an external spring. The loading lever has been replaced with an ejector housing on the right side of the barrel lug, which has the cross-hatched ejector head. The hammer has a firing pin added. The top of the barrel is marked "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-" and the left side of the frame is marked with the two line 1871 and 1872 patent dates. The cylinder is roll engraved with the Texas Navy scene and "COLT'S PATENT NO. 6784". The complete matching serial number is stamped on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The wedge is un-numbered and the loading gate is marked "6784". The revolver has a three-screw frame, brass trigger guard, iron back strap and one-piece varnished walnut grip.

Very fine. The barrel is in bright polish with traces of nickel plating. The remainder of the revolver retains 90% plus of the original nickel finish with areas that have frosted. The excellent grip retains 95% original varnish showing some lower edge wear and a few small minor chips on the lower edges. The cylinder scene is 98% visible and the markings are clear. The action is fine.