Serial 2085 is a Colt Model 1862 Pocket Navy that was converted from percussion to fire the .38 rimfire cartridge, a practice of the late 1860s and early 1870s that used up percussion-era parts as metallic cartridges took over. It wears a 3.5-inch barrel. The supplier grades it very good: 60 to 70 percent of the original nickel survives, the grips are excellent, the action works perfectly, and the gun shows very little use, with the finish loss put down to poor storage rather than hard service.

For a Texas collector this is a pocket-size example of the move from cap-and-ball to cartridge revolvers, and the strong grips and working action are what buyers look for in a conversion. Note that the catalog files it under Colt conversions in the parts section, but it is a complete revolver and is handled as one. The listing offers no further markings or provenance, so the serial, barrel length, finish percentage and mechanical grade are the facts on record.

Key features

• .38 rimfire conversion, 3.5-inch barrel
• Late 1860s to early 1870s
• 60 to 70 percent original nickel finish
• Excellent grips, action works perfectly
• Serial 2085

Because it is a complete revolver, it ships to the licensed Texas dealer you name at checkout rather than to your door.