Original Item: Only One Available. The romance around Colt "Cowboy" Revolvers never ceases to amaze us, however this is a pair that definitely stands above the rest! Here we have two CONSECUTIVE SERIAL NUMBER examples of the Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolver. They are identical in configuration, both nickel plated with Colt "Prancing Pony" hard rubber grips, and long 7 1/2 barrels. Both are chambered for .45 "Long" Colt, and have a great "service used" look to them, having seen a good amount of action, but also being well cared for during that time.

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 also known as the "Philippine" or "Alaskan" models.

The revolvers are marked on the bottoms of the grips with consecutive serial numbers 14981 and 14982, indicating it they were made in 1885. They are also marked with 759 and 853 on the loading gates, respectively. Research indicates that these revolvers fall within the serial number range of the Canadian Militia and Defense M1878 revolvers, which were shipped by dealer Hartley and Graham of New York to Canada during 1885 for use in the Riel Rebellion, the same year these guns were made. The revolvers do not have any "MD" stamps on the left side of the frame, however the serial number range and configuration are both correct. The reference book Colt's Double Action Revolver, Model of 1878 by Don Wilkerson indicates on page 254 that some guns were marked with the "MD" stamp, while others were not. Definitely a high possibility of having been used during the rebellion, a great avenue of future research!

The revolvers both still retain a good amount of the original factory nickel plating, with areas worn by use and age. Both still show the original factory address marking clearly on the top of the barrel:

The frames still retain much of the original finish, showing some wear from use. There are no "Prancing Pony" logos on the frame, as the marking was not introduced by Colt until 1891. Both are marked 45CAL on the left side of the trigger guard, for the legendary .45 "Long" Colt cartridge. The original factory installed black Colt hard rubber grips are present, showing the Colt leaping Stallion logo. They are in very good condition, with a lot of the checkering still present, and no cracks or chunks missing, and show a bit of fading to brown. The lanyard loops next to these are still present and swivel correctly.

Both revolvers are fully functional in double and single action, without any of the finicky behavior we often see with these early double action designs. They index well with a strong cylinder lockup and a crisp dry fore. Both can have the cylinder base pin pulled, which allows the cylinder to be removed, though 14981 is a bit stubborn, and the release button must be pushed in hard. The ejector rods on both work great, and the loading gates are intact and functional. The bores of both are in very good condition, still showing clear lands and grooves with mostly bright finishes. 14982 definitely is in a bit better shape however, showing less wear and it is a bit shinier. These definitely look to have seen a fair amount of firing while in service.

A fantastic pair of consecutively numbered M1878 revolvers in .45cal, with a very strong chance of having been shipped to Canada for use during the Riel Rebellion. Ready to research and display!

Specifications (Both):-

Year of Manufacture: 1885
Caliber: .45 "Long" Colt
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 7 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 12 1/2 inches
Action: Double Action Army
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

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.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.