Fine to excellent condition Colt Model 1851 Richards Mason Conversion revolver, s/n 499 manufactured circa 1872 in obsolete .38 rimfire calibre. Six shot cylinder, 7 ½ inch octagonal barrel, with ejector rod attached. It is a factory converted example, numbered its own serial range of factory conversions from serial numbers 1-3800.  

This early metallic cartridge revolver, is basically a Colt 1851 Navy percussion revolver, with its loading lever removed and the barrel lug left unplugged. It is fitted with a conversion breech-plate and a rimfire firing pin. The loading gate and arbour pin have the assembly number “723”. The wedge is unnumbered as per normal on conversions and late percussion firearms.

The barrel address reads: -ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-.  The left side of the frame is stamped “COLTS / PATENT”, with 36 CAL stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger-guard.  

It has a blued barrel and cylinder, case coloured frame and breech-plate and hammer. The brass trigger-guard and back-strap are silver-plated. The revolver is complimented with varnished one-piece walnut grips. The cylinder depicts the naval engagement scene. Total manufactured about 3,800. 

Overall in excellent condition with strong markings, very good cylinder scene and approx. 75% of its original blue and 50% case colours. The cylinder numbered “499” with inspection number “2” stamped on the front, has a 100% cylinder naval scene. The back-strap and trigger-guard retain traces of silver-plating.

Serial number 499 has a good action and is in excellent working order. The bore is bright 9 ½ out of 10 with excellent rifling. The action is in good working order. It was this model that helped to “Win the West” prior and alongside the Colt 1873 single action revolver. An excellent hard to find example of a classic model antique firearm.