A. Uberti 1860 Richards Army Conversion
A. Uberti · Revolver · In Production
Also known as: 1860 Richards Army Conversion, 1860 Army Conversion, Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion
Overview
The A. Uberti 1860 Richards Army Conversion is a single-action revolver chambered in .45 Colt, a faithful Italian-made reproduction of the historic Colt Model 1860 Army cartridge conversion. The original Richards system, patented in 1871 by Charles Brinckerhoff Richards, transformed the percussion 1860 Army into a metallic-cartridge arm by reaming the cylinder chambers, fitting a breech conversion ring with an integral firing pin, and adding a loading gate and spring-loaded ejector rod. Uberti's modern rendition preserves the open-top frame, sweeping plow-handle grip, and 5.5-inch round barrel of the period piece while chambering the potent .45 Colt cartridge. The revolver operates on the classic single-action lockwork, requiring the shooter to manually cock the hammer before each shot, which indexes the six-round cylinder. A color case-hardened frame, blued barrel and cylinder, and a one-piece walnut grip give the gun its authentic 19th-century character, making it a favorite among cowboy action shooters, collectors, and living-history enthusiasts who want the look and feel of the frontier era in a reliable modern-production firearm.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1179 g (41.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 279 mm (10.98") |
| Barrel Length | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Height | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Width | 40 mm (1.57") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Trigger Pull | 18 N (4.0 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Muzzle Velocity | 265 m/s (869 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 569 J (420 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 45 m (49 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Case Hardened Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .45 Colt · primary — also known as .45 Long Colt, .45 LC, 11.43x33mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Hammer Safety Notch
- Features: Cartridge Conversion, Loading Gate, Ejector Rod, Fixed Sights, Case Hardened Frame, One Piece Walnut Grip, Exposed Hammer, Open Top Frame
Production
Production years: 1871-1878 (original Colt conversion); modern Uberti reproduction ongoing
Approximately 9,000 original Richards conversions of the 1860 Army were produced by Colt, of which roughly 1,200 were delivered to the U.S. Ordnance Department.
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Charles Brinckerhoff Richards
Notes
Reproduction of the Colt 1860 Army Richards cartridge conversion; original conversions (c. 1871-1878) were chambered in .44 Colt, while the Uberti reproduction is offered in .45 Colt. A short-barreled 3.5-inch 'Avenging Angel' variant is also produced.
Background
The Richards conversion was one of the first practical ways to bring Colt's cap-and-ball warhorses into the cartridge age after Smith & Wesson's Rollin White patent monopoly lapsed. Designed by Charles B. Richards, a co-designer of the later Single Action Army, the system let the U.S. Army modernize thousands of existing 1860 Army revolvers rather than buy new guns; many armed frontier cavalry, including troopers of the 10th Cavalry Regiment. Uberti's faithful reproduction keeps that transitional era alive for cowboy action shooters and collectors.