As a note, there are actual existing original Colt 1871/2 Open Tops in .44 Russian from the factory. In McDowell's book "Colt Conversions and other revolvers, I believe he has pictures of two that are still in existence. IIRC, there was a small run at the factory in about 1872/3. I'll have to look it up.
With that said, for a Historical purist, .44 Russian would be an original and correct caliber to have an 1872 Open Top in.
Good Morning Tuolumne,
No disrespect intended; Abilene, Coffin Maker and Crow Choker will all attest to the fact everyone will know if I am being disrespectful.
There are people with a lot of experience and expertise on these boards, Coffin Maker and Abilene only fall behind you one year in time as members of CAS City and I only 23 months. I don't think we want to be starting any whipping it out and measuring contests, I know the Monkey (sorry Abilene) would be in trouble.
I think the problem is that the reader would infer from your original post that the .44 Russian was a "common" or even an available caliber for the 71-72 Open Top.
I am always the student, and I have a particular interest in the Colt's Percussion and Open Top Revolvers, in fact they are all that I shoot in Cowboy matches, whether loose powder pistols or conversion revolvers that I use for wet weather guns (I hate trying to load percussion revolvers in the rain...). I even have a pair of Uberti 71-71 Open Tops.
Because I am the perpetual student I have been waiting with interest for the information you mentioned concerning a reference for a "small run of .44 Russian revolvers". That statement infers that there was a small production run of .44 Russian revolvers, maybe that is our failing in assuming you meant production...
I am no longer a historical purist because I quite often find I was mistaken or not privy to some tightly held information (that was either a 0307 or 0203 lesson 101, and hard learned). The fact is, history is often what the first to write a book says it is (No Disrespect to McDowell or his fine book, I have a copy...). But a historical purist might have mentioned that there were also .38 Centerfire and .32 Rimfire cartridges as well. But, as I think you said later the .44 Russians were experimental non-production run examples.
But what's a few experimental calibers among friends?
~Mako