1st. Model Richards Almost finished

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Here is the latest photos on my richards conversion. I installed the firing pin and the screw that holds the ejector rod housing in the barrel lug, timed everything, the lock up is perfect. The only thing left is to install the front sight, a little more polishing,  and ship it to be nickled.

The grips in the photo is an old pair of wooden grips that I epoxied with some off white paint. The next time you see it it will have the real ivories installed and nickled. Any questions feel free to ask.

The next one I do, I'm gonna do a little bit different on the loading gate. On the rear of the loading gate of original richards conversion there is a step that I didin't put on this one because I wasn't sure how to go about it, well, I've got that piece of machining figured out.......

Anyone out there got a 2nd generation 1860 colt they want to get rid of??

Bill
Right click your mouse key to make the images larger, hit "view image"

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Heres a couple more.......

Bill

[Major 2]

Looking SUPER ! Bill

I take it your gonna sight it in, then file the rear sight notch ?

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Major,
I'm gonna wait until I get it back from finishing then I'll sight it in. I've got a high front sight I made for it and I'm going to install it tomorrow. I think I will leave the dovetail that held the loading lever catch and not plug it, I think it is a neat look. I'm going to order 500 healed bullets from GAD custom cartrdge to load for this gun and a 1858 remington army conversion I did.

Bill

[Black River Smith]

Awww, Bill that is real nice to see.  Congrats on your completion of one nice looking gun.

Did you put the firing pin straight in or on a slight angle?  From the pictures in McDowell's book they appear to be on an angle.

I see what you mean about the step in the gate.  That is the step that outlines the transition from recoil plate to frames cut loading groove.  That will be a trick to get a nice neat line for me.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Point: if the roll engraver is set to roll for a set circumference, will your larger cylinder have a gap? 

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Jerry,
The step I am talking about is illustrated in this photo it follows the basic out line of the recess milled into the frame. Its one detail I overlooked until after I made this gate, and yes the firing pin is at an angle.

FCK,
I think the roll eingraving tool is adjustable, some what like some knurling tools.

Bill

[Goody]

"Anyone out there got a 2nd generation 1860 colt they want to get rid of?? "

Not yet, but I'll find one if you're talking a trade for this old beater!

[Fox Creek Kid]

Bill, that's about the neatest conversion to come down the pipe in a long time.    I talked to a fellow recently who bulids them custom but wants $1200.00!!!!!!!!!!!   Question: why haven't you cut the rear sight yet? Are you going to use some rudimentary mark at the range before the final cut? 

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

FCK asked:

Question: why haven't you cut the rear sight yet? Are you going to use some rudimentary mark at the range before the final cut?  Huh

Brent,
I'm in no real hurry, but the reason is the range that I normally sight my guns in, is undergoing major improvements that won't be finished until next spring. I like to shoot my guns off a sand bag rest to see where they print at 25 yards (past SASS distances if you get my drift).

I'll just lay a light file mark across the top of the rear sight to check the windage and go from there. I'm putting a high front sight on the barrel so elevation will be easy.

I appreciate the compliment, I tried to research this gun and get all the drawings done before I started...but I still missed a couple of things on this one that I won't on the next one, like the step on the loading gate in the photo I posted yesterday, I'm already building a fixture to machine that step.

The next one I do I plan on taking photos of the machining steps to show how to make the recoil ring, gate, indent and spring and firing pin installation and the fixtures I've made to machine the parts, and post them here....don't get in too big a hurry to see them, it won't be until after the first of the year sometime around March...

Bill

[Cannon Fodder]

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL  GUN !!!!!!

Where did you go for the grips?

[Montana Slim]

....Would ya believe from the hardware store??......I think Cherokee "But-not" Bill (sorry old joke) did the grips with some "white" Krylon spray paint.

Certainly an inventive, as well as talented individual 

Sorry for buttin' in Bill, but I couldn't help it!
Love your work!

Slim

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

....Would ya believe from the hardware store??......I think Cherokee "But-not" Bill (sorry old joke) did the grips with some "white" Krylon spray paint.

Certainly an inventive, as well as talented individual 

Sorry for buttin' in Bill, but I couldn't help it!
Love your work!

Slim

Montana you're close!!! Actually it is off white/ivory rustoleum paint with a coat of clear fiberglass over the finish...

Bill

[Fox Creek Kid]

Bill, if i may be so bold as to make a suggestion here. Gripmaker makes an exquisite set of checkerd faux ivory grips for the '60 Army grip style that are just beyond belief. I have a set on my antiqued RM conversion and aged them. Not only are they period correct but they aid your grip as well. 

[Black River Smith]

You guys, I think you missed something in one of the many posting Bill has had about his Richards.

As far as the grips now on the gun, they are painted, but Bill has already ordered ivory grips from Buffalo Arms to put on this beautiful piece of work.  He does not intend to leave the present grips on.

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

You guys, I think you missed something in one of the many posting Bill has had about his Richards.

As far as the grips now on the gun, they are painted, but Bill has already ordered ivory grips from Buffalo Arms to put on this beautiful piece of work.  He does not intend to leave the present grips on.

Jerry,
Yep........got em ordered and they should arrive any day now.....

Brent,
Thanks for the suggestion but I'm not a big fan of the checkered grips....If I had my druthers, I would have ordered a pair with the Mexican Eagle on them......but I couldn't find them to fit the 1860 frame.

Since this gun is basically a prototype and made from three different guns, I'm going to find a second generation 1860 Colt (I would even settle for a third generation), convert it, have it nickled and have a real set of Ivories made for it...thats my next project. 
I've got a second generation 1851 Colt that has never been shot, almost mint,  that I would put towards it in a trade....if any of you have one??

Bill

[Cannon Fodder]

Painted grips!!?? And I thought they looked great!!!

I can hardly wait for photos of the finished product!

What a  talent and thanks for sharing

[Fox Creek Kid]

...I'm going to find a second generation 1860 Colt (I would even settle for a third generation...

One big "catch" here IMHO, Bill. All 2nd gen., as well as 3rd gen., were four screw frames and as I'm sure you already know, only the U.S. Richards utilized an occasional four screw frame as all others were three screw frames. Kenny Howell actually threaded in a machine screw to "eliminate" the the larger 4th screw hole and you can see the head outline if you turn the frame right in the light. A better alternative would be to weld it over and refinish IMHO.

[Black River Smith]

FCK thanks for that info.  I was wandering what to do with those big screws.  Put the original screw in and file or sand it flat.  The only problem still is the two grooves that are still showing on the old recoil shield.  Even after the shield is cut a portion of the cut-out are still present.  McDowell only shows 2 or 3 guns/photos with the 'cutouts' and looking again the large side screws are 'not' showing.

Interesting.

[Fox Creek Kid]

B.R.S., a better starter pistol IMHO would be the Uberti three screw civilian model. Of course it doesn't have that COLTS PATENT marking on the left side of the frame but then again, you're not making a "real" Colt.