Which came first, the Kirst or the R&D?

[SeeThirty]

I was looking at an ad for the Kirst Konverter, and it says it was the first "true" drop-in cylinder conversion for BP. Just curious, which of the conversion cylinders was made first?

[Flint]

Can't remember now, for sure, who made the first production units, but Kenny Howell was making custom conversions for some years, built on either your gun, or a new one he supplied.  It would seem that the 6 shot R&D would be accepted by SASS more easily than the 5 shot Kirst, in the beginning, but that's speculation.

Kirst made the first ported conversions for sale for the 51/61 Navy, I believe.

Maybe a look at the patent numbers would help.

[SeeThirty]

Thanks, Flint.

It's not especially important in my consideration, was just curious which one was in use first. I know the R&D has mention of being used in film but nothing on the Kirst.