Colt History Help

[smith693]

I am researching the Indian Wars actions of the 4th Cavalry in West Texas. I recently ran across an entry that sort of puzzled me. It was a request for Colt CF cartridges by Col Ranald Mackenzie in July of 1872. I assume this was not .45 ammo, but something else. Conversions?

Here's he request and order:



Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[smith693]

Well, maybe it was thee .45...

[Galloway]

Arent they refering to they SW american and colt 1860 conversions?

[The Pathfinder]

Would just about have to be with the time frame. Just think, somewhere in Texas there are 9600 44 Colt and 44 SWA cartridge cases just littering the ground. Sweet!

[Drydock]

The Army bought and issued 1200 .44 Colt M1871 Richards Conversions for trial issue.  These are what Col. Mackenzie is referring to in his letter.  The "common" cartridges would be the combustible foil cartridges for the Colt 1860 percussion revolvers.

[Fox Creek Kid]

The Army bought and issued 1200 .44 Colt M1871 Richards Conversions for trial issue.  These are what Col. Mackenzie is referring to in his letter.  The "common" cartridges would be the combustible foil cartridges for the Colt 1860 percussion revolvers.

Correct. The also had 1,200 (1,000 blue & 200 nickel) S&W 1st Model Americans in service at the time. FWIW, later on MacKenzie was a proponent of the Schofield.

[smith693]

Thanks for the info!