Original Item: Only One Available. The romance around Colt "Cowboy" Revolvers never ceases to amaze us. This is a nice example of the Model 1878  Double Action Revolver. This model was manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company from 1878 to 1907, and is often referred to as the "Frontier" or the "Double Action Army" revolver. A total of 51,210 Model 1878 revolvers were manufactured from 1878 to 1907, including 4,600 for the US Ordnance Department. These are known as the "Philippine" or "Alaskan" models.

This revolver definitely shows quite a bit of history and use. It was a one point nickel plated, which is probably why most of the markings that would normally be present are missing. This includes the barrel markings, as well as the caliber marking. This is one of the large calibers, so it is either .44-40 Winchester or .45 "Long" Colt. The original Factory installed brown "Gutta Percha" Colt grips showing the Colt leaping Stallion logo are in good but definitely worn condition, and the left scale has a chip on the rear. It is marked on the bottom of the grip with serial number 16467, indicating it was made in 1886.

This example has a 4 7/8 inch barrel, which appears to possibly have been shortened at some time. The finish has all turned to dull steel now, except for the barrel which still retains the nickel plating. Nice and tight though the lanyard ring is absent. The trigger return spring is slightly light but operates. As with any revolver of this age and usage, the action can be finicky.

A nice used example of a Colt double action revolver, with loads of patina! Ready to display!

Samuel Colt experimented with double-action revolver systems, but he considered them to be unreliable. After Colt's patent expired in 1857, other manufacturers began producing double-action revolvers, but Colt's Manufacturing did not manufacture its own double-action revolver until 1877, twenty years after the patent had expired.

The M1878 was designed by William Mason, Colt's factory manager and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards, Superintendent of Engineering. It was similar in design to the Colt Model 1877. The Model 1878 had a larger frame, and is therefore sometimes referred to as the "large frame" double-action revolver, while the Model 1877 is likewise referred to as the "small frame" double-action revolver. The Model 1878 was considered a more robust and reliable design than the Model 1877.

The design of the Model 1878 was based on the Model 1877, which in turn was based heavily on the design of the earlier Colt Single Action Army revolver. The double-action revolver is not dramatically different in design than the single-action revolver. A strut is added to connect the trigger movement to the hammer. The top of the trigger slips beyond the strut so that the hammer will stay in full cock if it is pulled back manually.

The Model 1878 had a larger frame than the Model 1877, which allowed it to fire larger and more powerful cartridges, such as the .45 Colt and .44-40 and used the same barrel, ejector parts, and a very similar cylinder to the Single Action Army revolver. At one time, the factory modified Model 1878 cylinders for use in single-action revolvers in an attempt to use up spare parts.

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: 1897
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 4 3/4 inches
Overall Length: 9 3/4 inches
Action: Double/Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver