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February 18, 2016

When Colts Made The Jump

I have several black powder pistols, a Remington New Army in 44 cal. and a Colt model 1851 Navy in .36 cal.; these are replicas. I like history, especially American history and the Civil War. Firing these weapons (I also have a Springfield model 1861 rifle) gives me an appreciation for the types of action experienced during this War. I can't imagine standing there with your mates and reloading one shot at a time while hell is erupting all around you. It staggers the mind.

Every now and then I see a western where an actor is carrying what appears to be a Colt model 1860 that is designed for cartridges rather than percussion cap. Now I know why.

Colt produced conversion kits for their model 1860 percussion revolvers until S&W's patent for using metallic cartridges expired in 1871.The actual patent used by S&W was issued in 1859 to Rollin White who designed the cylinder that S&W used for their revolvers.

In 1873 Colt produced the Single Action Army revolver in .45 cal., the iconic handgun of the West.

This video demonstrates an actual Richards Conversion for the Colt model 1860 revolver produced around 1870.



H/T tacticalshit

1 comment:

Kid said...

Yes, Imagine standing in a skirmish line, firing, then loading powder and a greased cotton encased lead ball into your barrel, rodding it down, putting a bit of powder in your side bowl, firing one more shot and starting all over again.
Cojones.