What is a cartridge conversion revolver?

With this installment we reach a fascinating type of Colt single action revolver — the Cartridge Conversions. That’s a misnomer because it implies this genre of revolver was actually converted: that is revolvers that were already built as cap and ball types were converted to fire metallic cartridges.

Are cartridge Conversions legal?

Right now it is legal(in California) to install conversion cylinders.

What holds a revolver cylinder in place?

The cylinder may then be loaded, singly or again with a speedloader, closed, and latched in place. The pivoting part that supports the cylinder is called the crane; it is the weak point of swing-out cylinder designs.

When did cartridges Bullets Replace cap and ball?

1850s
In the 1850s, the firearms industry in the United States was trying to perfect self-contained breechloading cartridges to replace the separate components of cap-and-ball muzzle-loading firearms.

What caliber were the first revolvers?

36-caliber, Patent Arms Company, 1839. The Colt Paterson revolver was the first practical revolving-cylinder handgun ever made. Invented by Samuel Colt in 1831 and patented in 1836, the Colt Paterson revolver became synonymous with Texas.

Can a black powder revolver be converted to a cartridge gun?

Oddly though, it seems today there are more people set up to convert black powder revolvers to cartridge guns than there ever was in the 1870s. Kirst Konvertor, Taylor and Company, and Howell all exist to produce modern cartridge conversion kits for cap and ball revolvers.

Can you convert a BP revolver to a cartridge only revolver?

As stated above, when you “CONVERT” a BP revlover to a cartridge “only” firearm, then you have a legal, FFL, type revolver. If you can return the firearm back to BP, as with the conversion cylinder, no problem. I shoot ROA’s with conversion cylinders all the time.

Is a conversion cylinder a part of a revolver?

A conversion cylinder is a part, not a conversion. As stated above, when you “CONVERT” a BP revlover to a cartridge “only” firearm, then you have a legal, FFL, type revolver. If you can return the firearm back to BP, as with the conversion cylinder, no problem.

Are cartridge conversions good for Pistoleros?

When metallic cartridges replaced cap and ball revolvers in the 1870s, thousands of gently used wheelguns became obsolete almost overnight. But like so many once innovative products with loyal fan followings, many frugal pistoleros weren’t ready to make the jump from old to new and for them the so-called cartridge conversions were good enough.