Make: Colt
Model: 1861 Navy-Navy Percussion Range Richards-Mason Conversion
Serial Number: 6813
Year of Manufacture: 1873-1876 / Antique
Caliber: .38 Long Colt Centerfire
Action Type: 6-Shot, Single Action, Side-Gate Loaded Revolver
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked "ADDRESS COL. SAML NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA", the underside is marked with the New York Navy Yard "R.W.M." and anchor. The underside of the barrel lug, trigger guard plate, frame, toe of the butt of the grip frame, cylinder, arbor, loading gate, and rear of the wood stock are marked with serial number. The wedge is unmarked. The left of the frame is marked "PAT. JULY, 25, 1871 / PAT. JULY, 2, 1872", which is struck over the original "COLT'S / PATENT" mark which is no longer visible, the left of the trigger guard is marked "36 CAL". The cylinder is marked "COLT'S PATENT No. 4336 / 0813", with remnants of the standard Naval Engagement roll engraving.
Barrel Length: 7 1/2"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade, fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a "V" notch in the hammer, visible when cocked.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are a one piece smooth walnut stock. There are scattered scratches and nicks. There is a notable dent on the left side of the rip. There are initials on the right side of the grip that are no longer legible. There are no cracks. The grips rate in about Very Good overall condition as antique.
Type of Finish: Blue with Case Colored Hammer & Frame, Brass Grip Frame
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dull with deep rifling. There is scattered erosion and pitting. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 10% of its metal finish. There are some trace amounts of case color in some of the protected areas and frame. Most of the finish has worn to white and taken to a light mottled patina with intermittent oxidation and erosion. The screw heads range from light to moderately tooled with serviceable slots. The markings are legible. Overall, this revolver rates in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The timing is good. The hammer has a strong mainspring. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1861 Navy-Navy Richards-Mason conversion represents one of the most historically significant applications of Colt’s post-Civil War cartridge-conversion program. The U.S. Navy returned quantities of its percussion Model 1851 and 1861 Navy revolvers to Colt during the 1870s for alteration to metallic cartridge use, allowing proven service arms to remain useful during the transition away from cap-and-ball ignition. The "R.W.M." and anchor inspection on the underside of this barrel is particularly important - this mark is associated with Commander Richard W. Meade and identifies revolvers inspected at the New York Navy Yard after conversion. Contemporary collector scholarship specifically uses the term "Navy-Navy" for Colt Navy-model revolvers acquired and marked for actual U.S. Navy service.
This .38 Long Colt centerfire example retains about 10% of its original metal finish, including traces of case color in protected areas, while the balance has aged to a light mottled patina with intermittent oxidation and erosion. The one-piece walnut grip rates in Very Good antique condition, the bore rates 5/10 with deep rifling and scattered erosion and pitting, and the action functions correctly with good timing and a strong mainspring. Most importantly for the advanced Colt collector, the barrel, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, arbor, loading gate, and grip are matching, complemented by the New York Navy Yard inspection. Richards-Mason converted Model 1861 Navy revolvers are scarce in their own right, and an all-matching Navy-Navy example retaining identifiable Navy inspection is a particularly desirable survivor of the U.S. Navy’s transition into the metallic-cartridge era.
