Manufactured in 1863. This is a very rare Colt factory, experimental cartridge conversion revolver. The revolver has a three screw frame cut for a shoulder stock. A .44 caliber cylinder has been installed, the hammer has been converted to rimfire with an integral firing pin, the original upper hammer slot filled and cut for the rimfire hammer and the recoil shield machined for loading. There is no loading gate, but the cylinder is out of time so that the cartridges do not fall out of the cylinder. The original loading lever remains and an ejector rod has not been installed. The revolver is made from mixed parts, "142970" on the barrel and trigger guard, "118000" on the frame and "48757" on the back strap. The wedge is also mis-matched. There is a "D" stamped on each side of the barrel at the rear, an "H" directly behind the trigger guard and "S" at the top of the back strap. The top of the barrel is marked with the one line New York address and the bottom of barrel is stamped with the number "2". The left side of the frame is marked "COLTS/PATENT". Fitted with a one-piece walnut grip with a clear boxed cartouche on both sides. This revolver is almost identical in appearance to a revolver pictured on the top of page 210 in "The Book of Colt Firearms" by R.L. Wilson and is identified as an "Experimental conversion of the Model 1860 Army; 44 rimfire; non-rebated cylinder." This revolver is pictured, identified by various mixed serial numbers and described on page 212 of the same book. There is one difference in that #46754 is listed as the frame number and this revolver is clearly number 118000. All other numbers correspond. The revolver in the book is described in part as "A rare factory conversion; the mixed serial numbers attest to the assembling from various parts, many of them believed originally rejected as imperfect in one form or other. C. 1868-69."

Very good. The unfinished metal parts remain semi-bright. There are a few very small scattered dings. The trigger guard has an attractive aged patina. The grip is also very good with some wear and minor chips on the lower edge, a few small minor dents and a pleasant hand rubbed patina. The cartouches are clear. Mechanically needs work as the cylinder does not rotate when the hammer is cocked. The markings are clear. This revolver is truly the beginning of the metallic cartridge system.