Is this a KIRST Konverter?

[Bishop Creek]

I originally posted this in the Darksiders Den, but it was suggested that I move it here, makes sense as I'm a SCORRS member too.

I purchased this almost new ’58 Pietta Remington with a conversion cylinder from Gunbroker.com back in early 2001 for $175 (for BOTH!), so it was quite a bargain. My brother liked the cylinder so much that I bought a KIRST conversion cylinder for him from River Junction Traders a year later.




When comparing the two cylinders side by side, I noticed a difference between them. Mine is on the right. It has two little screw "feet" at the bottom of the conversion ring instead of the flat platform like the newer one on the left (photos taken 2002).




The cylinder bolt stops are different too.




My cylinder doesn't have the spacer at the back so the conversion ring sits flush until loaded with cartridges.




The edges on the front of my cylinder are more rounded too. This revolver was made in 1999 and this cylinder does not lock up correctly in my later model Pietta Remingtons. I have always figured it to be a very early KIRST conversion cylinder, but is it? Anyone know for sure?

[Raven]

Hi Bishop Creek,

What you have is a prototype Kirst Konverter produced before the Patent was issued 
There are not very many of those out there.

Raven

[Bishop Creek]

Thanks Raven. As Mako said on the Darksiders Den, as the Kirst gunsmith, you'd know the answer. Any idea on what year it was made?

I figured with the number "05" and "PAT PEND" stamped into it was an early one. Knowing that I have a prototype makes it more meaningful to me. It shows great workmanship as I have fired thousands of rounds of hand loaded .45 Schofield black powder cartridges through it in the last ten years and it still functions perfectly. To me, that says something about Kirst quaility.