1851 Richards-Mason® .38 Special., 7 1/2" CSA BATTLE FLAG INLAY

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! The American Civil War was one of the darkest times in our country’s history. It was fought on both sides by honorable men of the United States of America and the seceded Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865. The War profoundly shaped our cultural and political landscape forever. Cimarron Firearms pays tribute to this turbulent but important time in America’s history by producing The Blue and The Gray series. Each revolver in this limited series will include a certificate of authenticity bearing the Model, serial number and number produced within the series, making it a true collectors item. This Cimarron revolver is a detailed replica of those originally used by officers and soldiers during the Civil War. For those who prefer a cartridge firing revolver the percussion model is converted at the factory to center fire. The flag inlay was hand carved from a block of micarta knife handle material by legendary grip carver and maker, Paul Persinger of El Paso, Texas. Our jeweler here in Fredericksburg, Champe Jennings made a mold from the carving and casts the inlays from pure silver.