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 2100 1860 Army models and about 3800 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!