NRA Gun of the Week: Uberti USA Wild Bill 1851 Navy Conversion

by
posted on November 13, 2020
An expert lawman and scout, James Hickok lived a life on the edge with trust in his sidearms. Uberti USA imports a remembrance piece dedicated to James “Wild Bill” Hickok with its 1851 Navy Conversion revolver. The single-action wheelgun features an open-top design and is chambered for .38 Spl.

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok portrait.

The Wild Bill 1851 Navy Conversion is a retro revolver made for the modern collector that enjoys time spent on the range. Though Wild Bill’s original 1851 Navy revolvers were cap-and-ball designs, Uberti created an easier-shooting example for the casual shooter that shares a similar look as the real-deal single-action of Hickok's day.

Right side of Uberti Wild Bill 1851 Navy Conversion revolver on white background with text on image noting make and model.

The throwback revolver features ivory-style stocks fitted to a steel frame with color-case-hardened finish and engraving is featured on the six-round, smooth cylinder. A traditional sight notch is cut into the hammer that presents once the hammer is set to its fire position. A brass bead front sight is positioned on the upper flat near the muzzle. Uberti USA supplies a 7.5” steel barrel with an octagonal profile that has a rich blued finish. The dark blue contrasts nicely with the color-case-hardened components of the gun.

Close-up of revolver multi-colored frame and engraved blued cylinder.

Uberti USA’s 1851 Navy Conversion revolver is based on the later Richards-Mason-pattern conversions, which were around while Wild Bill was alive. The loading arm typically found on cap-and-ball revolvers was replaced by an ejection-rod housing located on the right side of the barrel, similar to where it would be placed on the famed 1873 Single Action Army. A loading gate that hinges open to the right, exposes the bored-through cylinder capable of accepting six rounds of standard .38 Special or .38 Colt cartridges.

Rear view of 1851 Navy conversion loading gate and hammer.

Watch our NRA Gun of the Week video above to learn about the Uberti USA Wild Bill 1851 Navy Conversion.

Uberti USA “Wild Bill” 1851 Navy Conversion Specifications
Importer: Uberti USA
Action Type: single-action, center-fire revolver
Chambering: .38 Spl.
Barrel: 7.5” steel
Frame: color-case-hardened steel
Sights: hammer-notch rear, brass front
Trigger: single-action
Capacity: six-round cylinder
Length: 13.6”
Weight: 44.8 ozs.
MSRP: $809

Further Reading:
Armed Man Uses Uberti 1866 Rifle to Stop Black Bear

Old School Cool: Uberti’s Model 1885 High Wall

Uberti Silver Boy

Handloading The .44-40 Win.

Review: Uberti 1851 Navy Conversion in .38 Spl.


Extras:






Latest

Leupold Vx 6Hd Cds Szl2 Hunting Riflescope
Leupold Vx 6Hd Cds Szl2 Hunting Riflescope

New For 2025: Leupold VX-6HD Gen 2 Riflescopes

Leupold & Stevens will offer a new generation of premium Gold Ring riflescope for hunters in 2025 of which include innovative features that go above and beyond previous VX-6 designs—their best just got better.

Review: Iver Johnson MF20

It’s no surprise that innovative designs like the Iver Johnson MF20 have emerged; by merging the best features of both shotguns and ARs, this firearm offers impressive—but controllable—firepower while mitigating the scattergun’s usual shortcomings.

6 New Handguns For 2025

Several of the nation's biggest names in firearm manufacturing have released new models ahead of SHOT Show 2025. Here's a rundown of the features that each of them offer.

Boys To Riflemen: Aiken’s Volunteers During The British Attack on Plattsburgh

In September 1814, Americans once again stood against the might of the British military, as their forefathers had done during the Revolution. A small group of teen boys proved their valor in the face of a British attack and earned a special presentation rifle for their efforts.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 20, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

A Gas-Operated M1903 Conversion That Never Was

The U.S. government's never-ending quest for a more effective shoulder-fired arm to equip its military has, naturally, resulted in more prototypes than production models. This semi-automatic Model 1903 Springfield conversion was one such dead-end.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.