Lot 117

Excellent Colt 1861 Navy Richards-Mason Conversion Revolver

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Excellent Colt 1861 Navy Richards-Mason Conversion Revolver

Estimate: $18,000 - $27,500

Starting Bid: $16,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Excellent Well-Documented Colt Model 1861 Navy Richards-Mason Conversion Revolver In the mid-1870s, Colt produced a variety of "conversion" revolvers using remaining parts on hand from percussion revolver production along with newly manufactured cartridge revolver components at the same time the early Colt Single Action Army revolvers were being produced. This Model 1861 Navy revolver's serial number dates to 1864 in the percussion range. Dennis Adler in "Metallic Cartridge Conversions" notes that around 1,800 were converted for centerfire ammunition. He also stated: "The 1861 Navy has been called the most graceful and beautifully designed revolver ever produced. The size, balance and contours of the 1861 Navy make that assessment hard to dispute. As a cartridge conversion, it was perhaps an even better looking gun," and also, "The most elegantly styled of all Colt cartridge conversions is the 1861 Navy." He would thus no doubt find this revolver to be the most attractive of all Colt percussion revolvers extant given its remarkable condition. It is featured on page 138 of "Fine & Historic Arms Annual" by the Texas Gun Collectors Association and Rock Island Auction Company as part of the Dr. Paul and Carla McCombs Collection. This revolver was previously part of John H. Thillman's collection and Colt conversion display at the Fall 1987 Texas Gun Collectors Association Show which won one of the four Judges Choice Awards. Thillman noted that after the display, "Philip R. Philip of Philips Petroleum offered to buy the entire collection for his museum. As he said at the time to me that he had never seen better condition examples of the pistols." The revolver and 1851 Navy conversion SN 597 instead were sold to Kurt House and Bruce Bartlet in 1999. It features the classic German silver blade front sight and one-line New York address on the barrel, ejector rod on the right, the two-line 1871 and 1872 patent marking on the left, an "N" and "36 CAL" on the left side of the trigger guard, classic naval battle scene on the cylinder along with "585/751", "1751" on the loading gate, and "21751" visible on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The wedge is unnumbered.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1861 Navy

BBL: 7 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 38 Long Colt

Finish: blue/casehardened/silver

Grips: walnut

Serial Number21751

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Albert Watson Collection; The John H. Thillmann Collection; The Fall 1987 Texas Gun Collector Association Show; The Kurt House and Bruce Bartlet Collection; The Fred Sweeney Collection; The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection; The Dr. Paul & Carla McCombs Collection
  • Condition: Excellent with 95% plus bright original high polish blue, 90% original casehardened finish, 80% original age darkened silver plating on the trigger guard, traces of original silver on the back strap, aged patina on the exposed brass, and minor wear. The grip is very fine with minor chips and wear at the lower edges, four notches cut on the right edge, and light handling wear. Mechanically excellent. Do not miss your opportunity to add one of the finest Colt conversion revolvers extant to your collection.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000