Acknowledgments... Introduction... Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Appendix. Bibliography...... Index... Contents The First Cartridge Revolvers in America ..... Circumventing the Rollin White Patent... Remington Conversions. Colt Thuer Conversions .. Colt C.B. Richards Conversions Colt Richards-Mason Conversions... The Colt Model 1871-1872 Open Top Revolver. Small Frame Colt Conversions .. Private and Experimental Colt Conversions. Other Conversions ...Acknowledgments Obtaining the very exacting information and locat- ing documentation was the most difficult task under- taken in the preparation of this very complex study. Numerous fellow collectors, museums, organizations and government agencies contributed significant amounts of time, documents, photographs and impor- tant records to make this publication available in its fi- nal form, The author gratefully acknowledges and wishes to express his sincere appreciation to all who have so unselfishly contributed their time and materi- als to this work. Although some are singled out for their spe tributions, the significance of other assistance and photographs of special firearms and associated sub- ject matter is no less of importance and is equally ap- preciated. ‘The Author gratefully acknowledges and expresses his sincere appreciation to: Francis E. “Bud” Firth for offering his splendid per- sonal collection for photographs, physical measure- ments and examinations necessary to determine numerous technical and mechanical characteristics of many experimental, prototype and one-of-a-kind Colt revolvers. Bud also supplied many of the conversion photographs containing special backgrounds of relat- ed interests, in both color and black and white. His ex- pertise in the subjects of Thuer and Richards conversions and his sincere cooperation have contrib- uted significantly to this extensive study. John H. Thillmann for making his excellent Colt con- version collection available for photographs, and on several occasions, shipping specimens of these rare and valuable firearms to the author for further study. John’s expertise lies with the Richards conversions, ‘and Richards-Mason conversions in both large and small frame Colt revolvers. He has generously shared his extensive knowledge on these subjects, as well as his many years of record keeping on serial numbers and specifications. Many additional important contacts have been made through John and his endless interest, and friendly assistance has been truly appreciated, ‘Sam Pachanian for supplying many photographs of Colt Navy conversions in his collection, and invaluable information pertaining to loading gates, gate springs and frame markings. Sam is an expert on Martial Navy Colt revolvers, but his vast knowledge on conversions does not end here. He has generously supplied perti- nent information on inspector markings, dates of man- ufacture, Navy contract information and various Colt factory markings. All conversions from Sam. Pachanian’s collection were photographed by L. Frank Richey. F. “Jay” Huber, Jr. for his tremendous help with the chapter on Remington conversions. Jay is the *Mr. Remington” of the collecting fraternity, and his supply of photographic materials and historical information on the subject has been a great asset to the Remington chapter. Still further appreciation is extended to Bud Firth, John Thillmann, Sam Pachanian and Jay Huber for spending many hours proofreading those chapters of their particular specialty. Dow H. Heard Ill for supplying both converted re- volvers and holsters from the collection of Dow and Russelle Heard for photographs, and for sharing infor- mation from many years of personal record keeping on Colt conversions. Herbert G. Houze for sharing information from the Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company “Jour- nal B” from his personal collection, information from, Major General William B. Franklin's aide-memoir (diary from November 15, 1865, to December 31, 1867), and photographs of early Colt Experimental Model revolv- ers. C. D. Terry for sharing information on Colt Model 1871-1872 Open Top revolvers and permitting the use of many photographs of outstanding Colt revolvers from his private collection, ‘The many others who so kindly supplied converted revolvers for photography, existing photographs and historical, technical or patent information, including Louis Behling, Raymond T. Giles, Robert T. Buttweller, Paul Sorrell, Michael Leff, Nelson B. Wadsworth, George A. Hoyem, Norm Flayderman, Lewis T. Stead- man, C. W. Slagle, Richard Kravarik, Victor Guidetti, Mark Aziz, John F. Dussling, Martin D. Jessen, George R. Innocent, Norman Chase, Dean Nelson, Harry Hunt- er, Arthur L. Olivas, Bob Harlock and Paul D. Bucher. Numerous organizations, museums and govern- ment agencies were extremely helpful in locating Con-gressional documents, patent copies, government letters, orders and Ordnance reports, as well as vital ‘communications between the major firearms manufac turers, the U.S. Ordnance Department and the U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordnance. The author wishes to express his sincere appreciation to The Library of Congress, The United States Patent and Trademark Office, all brane es of the National Archives and The Connecticut State Library, Museum of Connecticut History. Institutions and private organizations that so will- ingly supplied photographs of special interest and one- ot-akind specimens include The Smithsonian Institu- tion, Division of Armed Forces History, The Virginia Historical Society, The Museum of New Mexico (Palace of the Governors), Archival Photography, N. Flayder- man & Co., Inc., High Noon Western Collectibles, But- terfield & Butterfield of San Francisco, and again, The Connecticut State Library in Hartford. Among the most helpful of all was my wife, Dorothy, for her endurance, understanding, help and encourage- ment through the several years of our lives together that were dedicated solely to the preparation of this book. It is sincerely hoped that all who helped so gener- ously have been included. if any names have been in- advertently omitted, I can only ask their forgiveness and indulgence, R. Bruce McDowell Acknowledgments