From the Vault: Colt 1860 Army Revolver Thuer Conversion
This video from Rock Island Auctions features Brownells Gun Techs Keith Ford and Steve Ostrem examining a Colt Model 1860 Army revolver that has undergone a Thuer Conversion. The Thuer Conversion allowed Colt to produce metallic cartridge revolvers without infringing on Smith & Wesson's patent for bored-through cylinders, which was held by Rollin White. The video highlights the unique front-loading nature of these conversions and demonstrates the loading, unloading, and even reloading process using the gun itself as a press. The condition of the featured revolver is noted as superb, including some original tapered cartridges. The discussion also touches on the comparative finickiness of the Thuer Conversion compared to Smith & Wesson revolvers and mentions that a cap-and-ball cylinder was often included as a backup. The video concludes by noting that the Thuer Conversion was eventually superseded by the Colt 1872 open-top revolver after White's patent expired.
