This is an 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 for the Colt 44 CF cartridge and fitting it with a new cylinder ring in front of the recoil shield with an a loading gate 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 "COLTS/PATENT" instead of the 1871 and 1872 patent dates generally found on the Second Model conversion revolvers. The cylinder is roll engraved with the Texas Navy scene and "COLT'S PATENT NO. 2007." Matching numbers are found on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. The loading gate has the assembly number "4996." The wedge is unmarked. The revolver has a three-screw frame, brass trigger guard, iron back strap and one-piece varnished walnut grip.

Fine plus. The revolver has a smooth gray patina with 30% of the bright original high polish blue finish in and around the protected areas most notable on the cylinder, back strap and ejector rod housing. The frame retains aa similar amount of original case colors in the protected areas. The trigger guard retains heavy amounts of original silver plating in and around the protected areas with the exposed brass having a bright appearance. The grip is fine showing high edge wear and some minor pressure dents and scratches with most of the finish remaining. Mechanically excellent.