The Cimarron 1860 Richards-Mason Type II is a single-action revolver chambered in .38 Special with a 5.5-inch barrel. It has walnut grips and a blued/case-hardened finish. The cylinder holds 6 rounds and features engraving on some configurations. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Cimarron 
• Model: 1860 Richards-Mason Type II 
• Caliber: .38 Special 
• Action: Single Action 
• Barrel Length: 5.5 in 
• Capacity: 6 rounds 
• Color/Finish: Blue/Black (case hardened frame on some variants) 
   

Detailed Features 

• 5.5-inch barrel 
• Walnut grips 
• Blued finish with case-hardened frame 
• 6-round cylinder 
• Engraved cylinder on select configurations

Owners of the Cimarron 1860 Richards-Mason Type II tend to focus on its period-accurate aesthetics and the quality of the walnut grips and blued finish. For cowboy action shooters and collectors drawn to conversion-style revolvers, it delivers a visual and mechanical experience that fits the niche well.

The trigger and action on the Richards-Mason Type II draw mixed commentary. Shooters who work on single-action revolvers at home often note it benefits from a light smoothing job out of the box. Those who leave it as-is still find it functional, just not as crisp as higher-end custom revolvers. The .38 Special chambering is seen as practical for range use without heavy recoil.

Value opinions split between those who view Cimarron as a good mid-tier import option and those who prefer domestic alternatives at similar price points. Collectors appreciate the Richards-Mason conversion design as a historically interesting configuration, while pure shooters sometimes find the category too specialized for their needs.

The Richards-Mason is beautifully made, and its classic appearance immediately impressed me. Functionally, however, my example has an alignment issue at the first cock position used for loading and unloading. The ejector does not line up with the chamber opening at that position. I have to turn the cylinder back slightly by hand before I can eject a case. I cannot say whether that behavior qualifies as a defect, but it makes the loading process less straightforward than expected. I plan to have a local gunsmith inspect it and determine what is happening. The craftsmanship and visual appeal remain strong, yet the cylinder and ejector alignment prevents an otherwise lovely revolver from receiving my highest rating.