Original Item: Only One Available. The romance around Colt "Cowboy" Revolvers never ceases to amaze us. This is a fine example of the Model 1878 "Frontier Six Shooter" Double Action Revolver, in the popular .44-40 Winchester chambering. 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 is in very good "frontier used" condition, showing a lovely aged patina. It does not show any signs of having been refinished at any point, and there are areas where the original blued finish is still present, with the rest faced to an oxidized patina with some light peppering. The Colt "Pony" logo on the left side of the frame next to the grips is not a deep marking, and was unfortunately completely worn away by peppering. The grips were also replaced with some fantastic ivory ones, which now have matured to a fantastic amber color, with the right scale showing a crack due to age.

It is marked on the bottom of the grip with serial number 40806, indicating it was made in 1898. The rea of the cylinder is marked with shortened serial number 806, along with a few inspection and assembly numbers. It is also marked with assembly number 328 on the back of the loading gate. It is in lovely patinated condition, sure to delight any "Old West" Americana collector.

This example has a "gunfighter length" 5 ½ inch barrel, which shows no signs of alteration. The Colt single line address marking (correct for a 5 ½" barrel) on the top of the barrel is still fully legible:

COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.

It also still bears the mostly clear roll stamped marking on the left side of the barrel, with some wear near the front:

41 COLT.

.41 Long Colt was originally developed for the M1877 "Thunderer", but remained a popular cartridge until the WWI Era, when it was superseded by more powerful powderless cartridges.

Overall condition is very good, with most markings well retained, and a great lightly worn look. The bore is in very good condition, with a mostly bright finish and clear lands and grooves. There is some light fouling and oxidation, as to be expected on a black powder cartridge revolver, and there also is a bit of wear. We tested the functionality in both double and single action, and it cycles well, though the ratchet is a bit worn so there is definitely some wobble, even when at full cock. We did not notice any trouble with the indexing or cylinder lockup. The ejector is present and fully functional.

A very nice example of an early design Colt Double Action Cartridge Revolver in .41 Long Colt! An ANTIQUE made in 1898, in lovely condition and ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1898
Caliber: .41 Long Colt
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 5 ½ inches
Overall Length: 10 ½ inches
Action: Double / Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

More on the Colt M-1878 Double Action 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.