Today, the 1873 Colt Single Action Army revolver is a mainstay with Cowboy Action shooters, but there were a number of other "ca'tridge" six-shooters that saw use on the frontier. Thanks to a number of modern-day manufacturers and importers, working copies of several of the more popular single actions of the mid- to late 19th century are available.

Cimarron Fire Arms Co. first introduced cartridge-conversion revolvers several years ago. Its replicas include the Richards-Mason cartridge conversions of the 1851 Navy and 1860 Army Colts.

The modern single-action-pistol packer's options include cartridge conversions of percussion arms (old and new designs) and those models that were rivals to the Peacemaker back in the heyday of black powder.

By the end of the Civil War it was evident that the self-contained metallic cartridge was here to stay, but because Smith & Wesson held the Rollin White patent on a completely bored-through chamber, S&W's American rivals (the U.S. patent did not affect foreign manufacturers) were forced to circumvent this simple process for inserting a metallic cartridge into a chamber from the rear of the cylinder. It was either that or continue to produce percussion revolvers, which is exactly what most of them did.

For example, Colt produced its popular Navy and Army models all the way through 1873--although the company did come out with the Thuer conversion, a metallic cartridge system in which the cartridge was inserted in the front of the chamber. Colt's Thuer conversions were produced from 1869 to 1872.

Remington produced some of its six-shooters in caplock form up until 1878 while simultaneously turning out versions of metallic cartridge conversions. Other, smaller companies did everything they could to work around S&W's patent--legally and otherwise.

The expiration of the Rollin-White patent in 1869 changed the landscape. Colt began producing cartridge-conversion five- and six-shooters in 1873, some utilizing already-produced parts from percussion models--such as the Richards conversion of the 1860 Army. Others used newly made parts--such as the Richards-Mason conversions of the 1851 Navy and the 1860 Army models. It is these latter Colts that are being replicated for today's sixgunners.

Navy Arm's seven-inch Cavalry Model Schofield looks right at home with (inset) the F. Burgess & Co. 1870s Fair Weather Christian Belt and the 1870s-style Green River skinner.

Cimarron Arms (www.cimarron-firearms.com) first introduced cartridge conversion replicas several years ago. Nowadays, Cimarron and Taylor's & Co. (www.taylorsfirearms.com) each offer Italian-import replicas of the Richards-Mason conversions of the 1851 Navy and the 1860 Army Colts.

These handsome, streamlined six-shooters combine the sleek lines of the percussion models with the handy aspects of a metallic cartridge handgun. Replica 1851 Navy Richards-Mason Colt conversions can be had in either the 4 3/4-, 5 1/2- or 7 1/2-inch barrel lengths. This octagon-tubed revolver can be had in either .38 Colt or .38 S&W Special.

Replicas of the 1860 Army Colt conversion sport a traditional eight-inch round barrel, although 43?4- and 51?2-inch models can be obtained also, and this model comes in .38 S&W Special, .45 S&W Schofield, .44 Colt (like the originals), .44 Russian or .44 Special. Both the 1851 Navy and 1860 Army come standard with a dark blued barrel assembly, trigger, cylinder, trigger guard and backstrap, with a color case-hardened frame, loading gate and hammer. One-piece European walnut stocks are standard.

Cimarron also offers an 1860 Army Richards Conversion dubbed the Type II. This replica of the early cartridge-conversion Army Colt will be offered in .44 Colt and .45 Colt. It will be slightly oversized and beefed up to handle the pressures of the smokeless .45 Colt cartridge.

In 1872, Colt introduced a revolver that is now known as the Open Top. Although short-lived (only about 7,000 produced), this sixgun saw hard use on the frontier and has become a hard-to-obtain collectible, with originals bringing five-figure prices. Cimarron and Taylor's are the only companies offering replicas.