Cimarron 1860 Richards-Mason .38 Special Revolver, 5.5" Barrel Cartridge Conversion Style, Case Hardened Frame 1-Piece Walnut Grip, Charcoal Blue Finish Md: CA939C00
Patented July 2, 1872, Colt employees Charles B. Richards and William Mason, combined their ideas for converting Colt's percussion revolvers to self-contained metallic cartridge, breech loading arms. Originally working with the percussion arms parts already in stock, guns were converted, however as they began to run out of the cap and ball components, the company began producing new sixguns as metal cartridge arms, rather than conversions. Although the numbers produced only amounted to a few thousand specimens (around 2,100 1860 Army models and about 3,800 1851 Navy models). El Paso's city marshal Dallas Stoudenmire packed a cut down Richards-Mason Army Colt. and John H. "Doc" Holliday packed a '51 new-made Navy model. Today's shooters enjoy the looks and handling capabilities of these conversion revolvers that combine the sleek lines of percussion revolvers with the convenience of self-contained cartridge sixguns.
Due to the high cost and scarcity of originals, Cimarron's Richards-Mason conversions are ideal for Cowboy Action competitors as well as nostalgic gun buffs alike. The Army model, copied from an original in our antique collection, sports a Standard Blue finish, while Cimarron's Navy model wears a Black finish. Both models are offered in a choice of .45 Colt, .44 Colt and Russian, .38 Colt/Special, or .45 Schofield caliber, and in either a 5 1/2-inch barrel or the 8-inch barrel length. In the Original Finish, antique arms enthusiasts will swear you have the "gen-u-wine" article!
Specifications:
- Caliber: .38 Special
- Barrel Length: .5 inches
- Style: Cartridge Conversion
- Frame: Case Hardened
- Finish: Charcoal Blue
- Grip: 1 Piece Walnut
- Weight: 2.6 Lbs.
The information below comes from our Gun Caliber Dictionary and is for
general reference only. It does not describe the specifications of this
particular item.
The 38 Special (38 S&W Special, 38 Colt Special) was introduced in 1902. It is essentially a slightly extended 38 Long Colt case, length 1.1551 inches, with operating pressure increased from 13,000 to 17,000 psi. Bullet diameter is .357-inch. The 38 Special became the gold standard personal defense revolver cartridge and was standard among most American law enforcement agencies for many years. Bullet weights vary from 110 to 158 grains, with a 158-grain bullet at 800 feet per second the most common. In the 1960s pressure was increased again to 18,500 psi, creating the 38 Special +P load, with increased velocity and energy. 38 Long and Short Colt ammunition can be fired in any 38 Special chamber, but not the reverse. 38 Special +P is safe in modern steel-frame 38 Special revolvers, but should not be used in aluminum-frame 38 Special revolvers. 38 Special remains a standard and popular revolver chambering.
—
Craig Boddington
