When were cartridge conversions first available?

freebird72 · August 14, 2012, 02:37 AM

When were cartridge conversions first available for old west revolvers such as Colts and Remingtons? I know many were popular after 1873, but when did they come into production?

MJN77 · August 14, 2012, 05:44 AM

The first Remington conversions were available in 1868. They were a five shot .46 cal. The Colt Thuer conversion (front loading tapered cartridge) also came about in 1868. The Colt Richards conversion of the 1860 were made from 1872-1878, the 1851/1861 navy conversion starting in 1873. The Richards-Mason conversions were manufactured in 1877-1878.

Bootsie · August 14, 2012, 07:54 AM

The Colt Long Cylinder Conversions of the 1860 Armies in .44 Henry RF were probably available as early as the first Remington Army conversions.
Bootsie

Rachen · August 14, 2012, 08:46 AM

They started to become available as custom projects shortly after the War of Northern Aggression, and really started taking off by 1866-1868. Factories were turning out conversion cylinders as a standard item and gunsmiths made quite a good living converting existing revolvers to the newfangled cartridge configuration.

Remember, the Rollin-White patent was held by Smith and Wesson until 1869 and from 1866 to 1869, conversion manufacturers enjoyed a golden era of popularity.

Even after the expiration of the Rollin-White patent, conversions remained popular as ever, mainly because of the cost. An 1875 catalog lists a brand-new Colt 1873 SAA for $13.00. A Richard-Mason Colt conversion in .45LC or a similar Remington conversion costs roughly $6.00. During a time when the average hard working citizen made about $100.00 a year, that presents quite an option

indy1919 · August 14, 2012, 10:03 AM

Thanks for the info on the conversions costs. Does anyone know the costs in the 1866 Or before 1873 when they were the Hot new thing in firearms???

August 14, 2012, 02:37 AM	#1
freebird72 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2010 Posts: 241	When were cartridge conversions first available? When were cartridge conversions first available for old west revolvers such as Colts and Remingtons? I know many were popular after 1873, but when did they come into production?

August 14, 2012, 05:44 AM	#2
MJN77 Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2009 Location: on a hill in West Virginia Posts: 789	The first Remington conversions were available in 1868. They were a five shot .46 cal. The Colt Thuer conversion (front loading tapered cartridge) also came about in 1868. The Colt Richards conversion of the 1860 were made from 1872-1878, the 1851/1861 navy conversion starting in 1873. The Richards-Mason conversions were manufactured in 1877-1878.

August 14, 2012, 07:54 AM	#3
Bootsie Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2007 Location: Hofheim/Germany Posts: 102	The Colt Long Cylinder Conversions of the 1860 Armies in .44 Henry RF were probably available as early as the first Remington Army conversions. Bootsie

August 14, 2012, 08:46 AM	#4
Rachen Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2006 Location: Weekend cowboy Posts: 542	They started to become available as custom projects shortly after the War of Northern Aggression, and really started taking off by 1866-1868. Factories were turning out conversion cylinders as a standard item and gunsmiths made quite a good living converting existing revolvers to the newfangled cartridge configuration. Remember, the Rollin-White patent was held by Smith and Wesson until 1869 and from 1866 to 1869, conversion manufacturers enjoyed a golden era of popularity. Even after the expiration of the Rollin-White patent, conversions remained popular as ever, mainly because of the cost. An 1875 catalog lists a brand-new Colt 1873 SAA for $13.00. A Richard-Mason Colt conversion in .45LC or a similar Remington conversion costs roughly $6.00. During a time when the average hard working citizen made about $100.00 a year, that presents quite an option

August 14, 2012, 10:03 AM	#5
indy1919 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2011 Posts: 277	Thanks for the info on the conversions costs. Does anyone know the costs in the 1866 Or before 1873 when they were the Hot new thing in firearms???