Black Powder Cylinder Conversion
Discussion on ways to convert your favorite steel framed percussion revolvers to fire metallic cartridges.
Historically, the company Smith and Wesson had patent control over cartridge pistols and were first to produce a new model built around the cartridge concept. Interestingly enough, before S&W got their new 1870 Model 3 revolver on the market, the Remington company had already released to the public their own revolvers that were not built around the new metallic cartridge, but rather converted from ball and cap to use the new cartridges. The Remington conversions were five round 1858 New Army model revolvers.
When metallic cartridges replaced cap and ball revolvers in the 1870s people that didn't want to spend a lot of money investing in a new gun would have theirs converted for cartridge use. Even the Colt Factory which had warehouses full of now obsolete ball and cap revolvers investing in factory conversions to modernize existing inventory. Throughout the 1870s, Colt worked though four different series of designs were used by the factory that replaced the cap and ball cylinder with one for cartridges.
Example Colt Conversions:
- Richards 12-Stop
- Richards 2nd Model
- Richards-Mason
- Thuer conversion
You could send in your lightly used Colt Ball and Cap revolver for conversion as well as buy a new factory conversion revolver. Colt marketed these conversions as being available to current Colt owners free of charge less shipping. The conversion process generally involved taking the old revolver and cutting off the back of the muzzleloading cylinder, replacing it with a conversion ring that would accept the new sealed breechloading cartridges. The underbarrel rammer, not needed to pack balls and powder anymore, was replaced with an ejector rod to push the spent cartridge brass backwards out of the cylinder once fired. A series of new production cylinders, manufactured and added to old stocks of existing Colt parts, was also used. Overall fewer than 25,000 new-built and converted models were made by the factory from 1871-1880.
Private gunsmiths also performed ball and cap to cartridge conversion for owners of the outdated revolvers. The quality of private conversion jobs varied greatly.
Modern Drop in Cylinder Replacements
Kirst Konvertor, Taylor and Company, and Howell are three examples of companies offering conversion for today's ball and cap pistol owners.
Example conversion: Convert the Ruger Old Army black powder revolver to fire 45LC with the Taylor Ruger Old Army Revolver Conversion Cylinder in .45LC.
Other Options
Vendors
- Howell Arms Cylinders - simplicity in converting your favorite steel framed percussion revolver to fire cartridges. Simply remove the percussion cylinder and replace it with one of our cylinders and the revolver is complete.
- R & D Conversion Cylinders - Supplier for Howell Arms Conversion Cylinders
- Gary At Buckaroo Barnes - Gary says he has the only place online where the Black Powder revolver shooter can obtain Custom Gunsmithing, Cartridge Conversion Installation and Heel Base Bullet Reloading Tools
