Interview on the Colt 1860 12-Notch Conversion Revolver
In the world of antique firearms, the Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion stands out as a unique piece of history. This revolver, originally designed by Charles Richards in 1871, marked a significant transition for Colt, enabling the company to move from cap-and-ball to self-contained metallic cartridge revolvers.
The Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion you may have encountered is a rarity. One of its most distinctive features is the 12 cylinder notches, instead of the usual six, found on the cylinder. These notches, falsely blamed for rupturing cylinders in the past, are actually cut between the chambers, the thickest part of the cylinder, and were designed to secure the cylinder with the hammer resting between two loaded chambers.
The safety system of the Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion required the user to depress the trigger while slightly pulling the hammer back before lowering it from half-cock. This system, while innovative for its time, has been the subject of some controversy. Small chunks of metal were incorrectly thought to be "blown out" from the safety notches, leading to the belief that they were the cause of cylinder ruptures. However, investigations revealed that the "blow-out holes" were actually at the bottom of the original cylinder notches, where the cylinders are the thinnest.
The 12-notch system added to the manufacturing costs of the Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion, and it was eventually discontinued. Today, the factory 12-notch versions of the Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion are highly sought after by collectors.
It's important to note that, when dealing with the Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion, one must be aware of fakes. Colt also produced 12-notch cylinders for separate sales, and unscrupulous individuals have created spurious versions. Therefore, it's crucial to verify the authenticity of any Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion you may come across.
The manufacturer of the very rare 12-cylinder version of the Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion is Uberti. Fewer than 120 factory 12-notch versions of the Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion were produced between 1873 and 1878. The exact origin of the extra notches on the Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion is unclear. Some believe it was a factory variation, while others speculate it might have been a frontier gunsmith's backroom project.
In conclusion, the Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of firearms. Its unique design and rarity make it a valuable piece for collectors, but also require careful consideration when authenticating and acquiring.
