Uberti 1871 Richards-Mason Army

A. Uberti · Revolver · In Production

Also known as: 1871 Richards-Mason Army Conversion, Colt Richards-Mason Conversion

Overview

The Uberti 1871 Richards-Mason Army is a modern single-action revolver reproducing the historic Colt Richards-Mason cartridge conversion of the percussion 1860 Army. Chambered in .45 Colt with an 8-inch barrel and six-round cylinder, it retains the case-hardened forged-steel frame, one-piece walnut grip, and hammer-mounted firing pin of the original while adding William Mason's spring-loaded ejector rod in place of the old loading lever. It is produced by A. Uberti of Italy for cowboy action shooting and historical collectors.

Specifications

Weight (empty)1188 g (41.9 oz)
Overall Length284 mm (11.18")
Barrel Length203 mm (7.99")
Action TypeRevolving
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity6 rounds
Magazine TypeRevolving Cylinder
Muzzle Velocity265 m/s (869 fps)
Muzzle Energy569 J (420 ft·lbf)
Effective Range50 m (55 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Rifling Twist406 mm (15.98")
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWalnut
FinishCase Hardened

Calibers

Features

Production

Production years: current production

Original Colt Richards-Mason Army conversions numbered approximately 2,100 (1877-1878); the Uberti reproduction remains in current production

Origin

Country of origin: Italy

Designer: William Mason

Notes

The original Colt Richards-Mason Army conversion (1877-1878) was the final and most refined of Colt's percussion-to-cartridge Army conversions; roughly 2,100 were built. Uberti offers the reproduction in .38 Special and .45 Colt with case-hardened, blued, nickel, or antique finishes.

Background

The Richards-Mason system let Colt update its huge inventory of percussion revolvers for the new metallic cartridge era, bridging the cap-and-ball 1860 Army and the 1873 Single Action Army.