1851 Navy Colt Cartridge Conversion ( Taylor's & Company)

Published on December 18, 2013
Duration: 23:22

This guide details the process of loading and firing a Taylor's & Company 1851 Navy Cartridge Conversion, specifically a Richards-Mason style. It covers inserting .38 Special cartridges into the cylinder and the basic firing sequence. The video emphasizes the historical context and mechanical evolution of these converted revolvers, highlighting the convenience over original percussion models. Instruction is provided by hickok45, a recognized expert with extensive practical experience.

Quick Summary

The Taylor's & Company 1851 Navy Cartridge Conversion, a Richards-Mason style, allows historical Colt frames to fire modern .38 Special cartridges. This conversion features a hammer-mounted firing pin and improved ejector rod, offering faster reloading than original percussion models. Colt produced these conversions due to a surplus of parts, making them a more affordable option than new cartridge revolvers.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Percussion Revolvers
  2. 01:52The Cartridge Conversion Concept
  3. 03:58Shooting Demonstration
  4. 05:19Historical Context of Conversions
  5. 07:22Technical Evolution: Richards vs. Mason
  6. 09:00Why Conversions Persisted
  7. 11:18Comparison and Final Thoughts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Richards-Mason conversion for a Colt 1851 Navy?

A Richards-Mason conversion is a factory-style modification of an original Colt 1851 Navy percussion revolver to fire modern metallic cartridges, typically .38 Special. It features a hammer-mounted firing pin and an improved ejector rod, making it significantly faster to reload than the original percussion model.

Why were Colt percussion revolvers converted to cartridges after the Civil War?

Colt converted percussion revolvers to cartridges primarily because they had a massive surplus of percussion parts. These conversions were more affordable than newly manufactured cartridge revolvers like the 1873 SAA, making them accessible to civilians.

What are the key differences between Richards and Richards-Mason conversions?

The Richards conversion typically used a breech plate with a floating firing pin, while the later Richards-Mason conversion incorporated a firing pin directly on the hammer and often included an improved ejector rod system for easier spent casing removal.

Can you shoot modern .38 Special cartridges in an original Colt 1851 Navy percussion revolver?

No, you absolutely cannot. Original Colt 1851 Navy revolvers are designed for black powder percussion ammunition. Firing modern metallic cartridges like .38 Special in an unconverted percussion revolver is extremely dangerous and will likely cause catastrophic failure and severe injury.

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