Richards-Mason vs. Colt Open Top

[FSCJedi]

What is the primary difference between these two types of BP cartridge pistols? Is it that one use to be a C&B and the other was produced to fire cartridges at the factory? Any other differences?

Obviously the converted ones would fire whatever round is associated with their original balls, but is there a "historically accurate" round or rounds that the open top was made for? If I get one, I don't want to buy the equivalent of a .44cal '51 Navy, know what I mean?

 

[dwave]

Well if I have it right (and I have been wrong before! ) The R-M converted Muzzleloading revolvers to cartridge guns, and the Colt Open Top was made in 1871-1872 and fired Cartridges from the start.

 

[Curator]

The Original Colt "Open-top" was made for cartridges, not a conversion of cap & ball frames. They were all made in .44 rimfire. Richards and Mason-Richards conversions were factory assembled cartridge revolvers for the most part, using cap & ball parts still in the manufacturing pipeline. Cylinders were newly made, not modified. Most .44 Armys were chambered for .44 Colt (centerfire). Navys were chambered for .38 Colt (centerfire). Owners of original cap & ball revolvers also sent them to Colt for conversion. The US Army certainly did. Many were converted to rimfire as well as centerfire cartridges.

 

[Tommygunn]

As Curator said, Richards-Mason conversions were largely assembled by Colt and (usually) with new cylinders.
I have a R-M Colt 1851 Conversion which is chambered in .38SP. I have only used "Cowboy" loads in it, and no jacketed rounds. It also uses .38 Long Colt and .38 Short Colt, and both are available from Cabela's and are made by "Ten-X." Interestingly the Long Colt rounds are loaded with blackpowder so you get an authentic cloud of smoke that smells just right. The Short Colt are loaded with modern propellant and due to their low power make more of a cute "popping" noise than a "BOOM!"
The gun is made by Uberti and is a nicely handling piece. If you get one make extra-sure you read the instructions about disassembly and take note of where there are minor differences from C&B revolvers or you won't be able to take it apart for cleaning.

 

[Old Fuff]

FSCJedi:

If I get one, I don't want to buy the equivalent of a .44cal '51 Navy, know what I mean?

Yup, I sure do.

... but is there a "historically accurate" round or rounds that the open top was made for?

Sure is. Buy a 1851 Navy Richards-Mason conversion or 1872 model chambered in .38 Long Colt. Ammunition is available, but a bit expensive. For reloading, common .38 Special cases can be trimmed to length.

In the 19th century revolvers, the Richards-Mason guns used modified 1851 or '61 Navy barrels changed to have an ejector rod assembly in place of the bullet rammer. The 1872 models came with newly manufactured barrels.

Those revolvers currently manufactured as cartridge guns have matched bores and chambers made to use .38 Special or .38 Long Colt cartridges. People who buy optional cylinder assemblies to convert current cap & ball revolver may find that the bores are oversized, running around .370" to .380" through which passes a .358" bullet. This isn't dangerous, but can, and often does result in poor accuracy and barrel leading.

 

[Tommygunn]

TEN-X brand .38 Long Colt from Cabela's, I last purchased @ $28.99 per box of 50 from Cabela's maybe a month ago. Not terribly bad, all things considered. Plus as I said earlier it's BlackPowder so you get the original aroma.

 

[Z71]

I thought that the Army had it's, or some of it's 1860 Army revolvers converted to cartridge use post war using the Richards Mason conversion.

That would mean that used revolvers were converted too. That is, if I know what I'm talking about.

 

[Norseman_01]

72 opentops had a longer area in the frame that allowed for full length 44 henry cartridges. They also allowed for more "meat" on the cylinder.

These are all things that the R-M conversions don't have.