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MODEL 1861 NAVY CARTRIDGE “CONVERSION” IN .38 COLT CENTER FIRE, RARE FACTORY NICKEL AND IVORY.
Guns International #: 101152469 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion - Colt Revolvers - Antique
Seller's Information
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Seller: goodmanguns
Company: William T. Goodman
Member Since: 10/16/15
First Name: William
Last Name: Goodman
State: Montana
Zip: 59715
Country: United States
Phone: (406) 587-3131
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 52
Total Number of Listings: 3271
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: checks, cashiers/bank check, money order
Description:
ONE OF THE SCARCEST OF THE EARLY COLT CARTRIDGE REVOLVERS: THIS IS THE MODEL 1861 CARTRIDGE “CONVERSION” IN .38 COLT CENTER FIRE. Only 2200 made of this model in .38 Rim Fire and .38 Center Fire. I put the word conversion in quotation marks because these were not converted from an original percussion revolver, but were made by Colt in cartridge form using up earlier new parts from percussion models. In doing some research on this rare model in Bruce McDowell’s detailed book THE STUDY OF COLT CONVERSIONS, he states that in the early 1870s when this model was introduced there wasn’t a good supply of .38 Center Fire ammunition, so Colt made the early revolvers in .38 Rim Fire. By about 1873-74 center fire ammo became plentiful and that’s when Colt began making this model in the center fire version. All of this model were serial numbered below 3300 and this example is in the 28XX range. Bruce McDowell also states that the standard finish was blue with walnut grips and that any other finish and stock material was special order and extremely rare. This revolver IS IN THE RARE SPECIAL ORDER NICKEL FINISH WITH GORGEOUS ONE-PIECE IVORY GRIPS! All numbers match on barrel, frame, trigger guard, cylinder and back strap. Only the barrel wedge number is different. Interestingly, McDowell also states that often there is a number “1” stamped under the serial number on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. He gives no reason for this and this revolver has that stamping. All the sharp roll engraved cylinder scene remains depicting a naval engagement. The trigger guard/front strap, butt and back strap retain nearly all the bright original nickel and the left front of the trigger guard is stamped “38 CAL.” The bottom left side of the frame has the correct two line patent dates and retains bright nickel. The barrel and cylinder and remainder of the frame show about half the nickel, but where the nickel is worn/flaked the metal underneath is fairly bright making this all blend nicely into a most attractive overall appearance. Correct barrel marking, fine nickel on the hammer, exc. screws, beautiful mellow ivory grips fit perfectly and appear to be factory original- which would seem probable as this was a special order nickel finish revolver. Tight mechanics and matching assembly numbers on the loading gate and the cylinder arbor. McDowell states that roughly half of this model were rim fire and half were center fire. Considering this there are only 1100 of this model in .38 Center Fire caliber. Of this 1100 there can be only a handful made in nickel finish with ivory grips! An outstandingly rare and attractive Colt!
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: COLT
Model: 1861 NAVY CARTRIDGE CONVERSION
Serial Number: 2XXX
Caliber Info: .38 COLT C.F.
Condition: FINE+
Barrels: 7 1/2
Finish: NICKEL