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

by
posted on November 13, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
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

Colt’s 1849 London Pocket
Colt’s 1849 London Pocket

I Have This Old Gun: Colt’s 1849 London Pocket

Encouraged by his generally positive reception at the Great Exhibition in 1851, and always anxious to gain elusive government contracts, Colt, in 1853, opened a London factory where he would make a number of revolvers, including his popular 1849 Pocket Model.

Modern Cowboy Gun: The Savage Arms Revel Tactical

Savage Arms jumped back into the lever-action market in 2024 with its rimfire Revel platform, and this year, the company is expanding with a feature-rich Revel Tactical model.

Hunting with a Legend: Sierra’s MatchKing X Bullet

Sierra’s MatchKing is a highly respected target bullet, but for the new trend of long-range hunting, the design needed to offer improved terminal performance. Enter the MatchKing X.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 19, 2026

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

Review: Stoeger STR-9 Thinline

The new Stoeger carry gun loses nothing—except some weight and girth. This is the Stoeger STR-9 Thinline.

5 Great Products for Your Next Hunt

These five products will help boost your chances at success in the field.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.