Black Powder USFA's?

[deucedaddyj]

I was looking around at a local gun shop, and I noticed something that I've never seen before. A USFA Colt Navy Richards Mason conversion! I wasn't aware that USFA even produced these, and they're not mentioned on their website. Does anybody know about these? It's got my hopes up that USFA might of made BP revolvers at one point, or will in the future. Wow, then I'd be a happy man!

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Deuce,
BUY THAT GUN!!!  USFA made about 50 of the Richards Mason conversions a few years back and then abandoned the project.  They are pictured in one of their very early catalogs.  I own one of them and have never seen another (mine is pictured on the USFA web site under the "resources/customer's guns" section).
Back then, USFA had plans to introduce a line of percussion pistols.  After producing a handful they decided against it, feeling that they were spreading themselves to thin, and placed all of their efforts into the SAA.  The original attitude seemed to be, "let's make everything."  That quickly changed to, "let's make the best SAA on the market."  Probably a very wise move on thier part.  I doubt if we will ever see any more of the Richards Mason conversions coming out of the USFA factory.
CJF 

[deucedaddyj]

Well, it's a shame they don't, because I would buy one as soon as I could. I'd buy the one I found, but it's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of my price range. It's nice though. I also found one on guns america if anybody wanted to buy one.

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Deuce,
Just out of morbid curiosity, what are they asking for it?  I seem to recall that I paid around $1100 for mine and that was 4 or 5 years ago.
CJF

[deucedaddyj]

It was about $1900, I think, but the one I saw on guns america was a bit cheaper. I would like it, but I can't afford more than $800 for a gun, and that's very steep for a poor boy like me! Can't wait until I pay my truck off

[Virginia Gentleman]

These conversions and percussion US Fire Arms guns will become collectibles before you know it and the price has risen accordingly.

[Doc Sunrise]

I was extremely fortunate to find a nicely engraved USFA 1860 Army Richards Conversion with Ivory Grips.  The couple of Blackpowders I have seen are fantastic.

[Major 2]

I also lucked into one of the USFA 1860 Army Richards Conversion...
Though mine is not engraved nor sport Ivory Grips.
My FFL had taken it in with the Collection from an estate, the gun had been a Prototype for the 92-93 Shot Show.
When I dropped by his shop one day, few years back, he said " wait a Minute, I have something to show you are gonna want ! " Knowing my fondness for 1860's and conversions 
He handed me the Richards, and I never handed it back  ... I cut the trade with it clutched firmley in my left hand the whole time.

[Doc Sunrise]

These USFA Blackpowders are just fantastic.  When they come available, it is like being on pins and needles until you can secure them.  I have yet to get one that disappointed me after all of the excitement trying to get it.  Unfortunately, you really need to be on the ball as some of these go up for sale under descriptions that do not identify them as USFA products.

[Major 2]

Ha.. that is a fact Doc...My FFL did not even mention mine was a USFA...

ID card place in the case with it .. Only said "
1860 Army
Real Conversion

44cal.   $ XXX.00

but I traded him out of it

[Doc Sunrise]

I just got the newest version of the Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Arms, Sixth Edition. 

Fortunately, USFA is again listed with the black powder guns they did make.

Unfortunately, the values seem low to me.  I recently have seen pristine USFA 1851 Navy's going for close to $1,000.  It is listed in the Blue Book for $345.

Hopefully now that USFA is relisted, values will increase in future listings.