Cimarron 1851 Richards Mason CSA 38 Spl Revolver – Historic 7.5 in. Case Colored, Silver Inlay

Description

The Cimarron 1851 Richards Mason CSA 38 Spl is a 7.5-inch, six-shot cartridge conversion revolver chambered in .38 Special, styled after the Colt 1851 Navy conversions of the 1870s. It features a case-colored frame, blued octagon barrel, brass backstrap and trigger guard, an engraved cylinder and a one-piece walnut grip with a cast sterling silver CSA battle flag inlay. Cimarron model CA925M16.

Cimarron 1851 Richards Mason CSA 38 Spl Overview

In 1872 Colt employees Charles Richards and William Mason patented a way to convert percussion revolvers to fire self-contained metallic cartridges, and Colt soon built new revolvers to the same pattern. Cimarron’s reproduction, made in Italy, recreates the look of a Richards-Mason Navy conversion while chambering it for modern .38 Special. This commemorative version adds a grip inlay that Cimarron says is cast from pure silver by a Fredericksburg, Texas jeweler from an original carving, making it a historical display piece that is also a fully functional shooter.

A Cartridge Revolver, Not Black Powder

Although it looks like a Civil War-era cap and ball revolver, this is a cartridge firearm. It fires factory .38 Special ammunition and is treated as a modern handgun under U.S. firearms law, so it must transfer through a licensed dealer like any other handgun. It is not an antique or muzzleloader exemption item. Use only standard-pressure .38 Special loads; never fire .38 Special +P or .357 Magnum in it.

Loading and Single Action Safety

Like the originals, the conversion loads through a hinged loading gate on the right side of the frame and ejects empties with a spring-loaded rod under the barrel, one chamber at a time. The hammer must be cocked by hand for each shot. As with other traditional single actions without a transfer bar, carry it with only five rounds and the hammer down on an empty chamber. Loading and unloading are slow by modern standards, which is part of the experience.

Fit, Finish and Engraving

The frame is case colored, the 7.5-inch octagon barrel and cylinder are blued, and the backstrap and trigger guard are brass, a classic Navy-style combination. The cylinder carries a roll-engraved scene in the style of the originals. The one-piece walnut grip holds the silver inlay. Brass and case colors develop a patina over time, so wipe the gun down with a lightly oiled cloth after handling to protect the finish.

Shooting Characteristics

With a 7.5-inch barrel and about 2.8 pounds of weight, the revolver is very soft shooting with .38 Special lead loads, making it pleasant for cowboy action side matches and casual target shooting. Sights are fixed, a notch in the hammer and a front post, as on the originals, and many period-style revolvers print slightly high at short range, so test a few loads to find one that hits where you aim. Lead round-nose loads are the traditional choice.

Collecting and Display

Commemorative revolvers like this one appeal to collectors of Civil War and Reconstruction-era firearms and to students of the conversion period. Whether you shoot it or display it, keep the original box and paperwork, since they help resale value. Some buyers and ranges view Confederate imagery differently, so consider where you plan to shoot and display it. Store it in a dry place, and avoid leaving the inlay in contact with leather or rubber, which can tarnish silver.

State Laws and Ownership

Handgun purchase permits, rosters and waiting periods vary by state, and some states require single action revolvers to be on an approved list. Check your local law before ordering. We ship firearms only to licensed FFL dealers, and we do not ship to Massachusetts or Oregon. Your receiving dealer completes the background check and transfer.

Specifications

• Brand: Cimarron
• Model: 1851 Richards-Mason conversion, CSA battle flag inlay, model CA925M16
• UPC: 844234130306
• Caliber: .38 Special
• Action: Single action revolver, cartridge conversion style
• Capacity: 6 rounds, carry with 5
• Barrel: 7.5 in. octagon, blued
• Frame: Case colored, brass backstrap and trigger guard
• Cylinder: Engraved
• Grip: One-piece walnut with sterling silver CSA battle flag inlay
• Sights: Fixed
• Weight: About 2.83 lb

Before You Buy

Federal law requires you to be 21 or older to buy a handgun from a licensed dealer, and this cartridge revolver must ship to an FFL for transfer and a background check. Read the manual before loading, and practice the loading gate and ejector sequence with dummy rounds first.

Who It Is For

The Cimarron 1851 Richards Mason CSA 38 Spl is a great fit for collectors, history enthusiasts and cowboy action shooters who want a functional Richards-Mason Navy conversion with a commemorative silver grip inlay.

Buy the Cimarron 1851 Richards Mason CSA 38 Spl at MAG5 Firearms

MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the Cimarron 1851 Richards Mason CSA 38 Spl online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more revolvers. For factory details, visit Cimarron Firearms.