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 condition, showing a lovely worn patina from long use during the early 20th Century, probably out in the West. It does not look to have been refinished at any time, and shows an aged peppery patina on much of the metalwork from exposure to the elements and subsequent cleaning. There is still a bit of the Colt "Prancing Pony" logo on the left side of the frame next to the grips, and the grips themselves have a great worn look. The revolver also comes with a great period leather holster, which has a replica POLICE / TEXAS MEXICAN RWY. badge attached to it. This was a short line railroad in Texas operating between Corpus Christi and the Texas Mexican Railway International Bridge in Laredo, Texas. The bridge still exists, and is the busiest international crossing in the United States, which is why another bridge opened February 2025 to help increase traffic capacity.

The revolver is marked on the bottom of the grip with serial number 40245, indicating it was made in 1898. There is powder burn on both the front and rear of the cylinder, so we cannot make out any numbers on either side. It is also marked with assembly number 204 on the back of the loading gate. This example has a "gunfighter length" 4 3/4 inch barrel, which shows no signs of alteration. It is in lovely condition, sure to delight any "Old West" Americana collector.

The Colt two line address marking (correct for a 4 3/4" barrel) on the top of the barrel is still mostly legible:

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

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

[COLT FRON]TIER SIX SHOOTER

Previous versions of these had the marking etched, but those markings quickly wore away. The later roll stamped markings are much more durable. This indicates chambering for .44-40 Winchester Center Fire cartridges, as it does on examples of the Single Action Army. There is also a 44 stamped on the bottom of the barrel, confirming the chambering, which we have checked with a real cartridge as well. This was a very popular cartridge for revolvers and rifles of the time, and this way the owner would only need bring one type of ammunition. While some may question why colt made guns chambered for a competitor's cartridge, having a repeating rifle and revolver that took the same ammunition was a big selling point.

Overall condition is very good, with many markings well retained, and a great "frontier used" look. The Colt "gutta percha" hard rubber trips show wear to the checking, and have faded to a brownish color, as often seen due to exposure of the early rubber compound to the environment. The cylinder base pin can be removed relatively easily by depressing the latch on the left side of the frame, allowing the cylinder to be removed. We tested the functionality in both double and single action, and it cycles well, though there is definitely slop in the lock up and the action overall, not surprising given how much service it looks to have seen. The bore is in very good condition, with a partly bright finish and clear lands and grooves. There is some past fouling and oxidation, now cleaned away, as to be expected on a black powder cartridge revolver, and there also some wear to the lands. The ejector is present and fully functional.

A very nice well patinated example of an early design Colt Double Action Cartridge Revolver in the very popular .44-40 caliber, complete with an original holster and replica badge! An ANTIQUE made in 1898, in lovely condition and ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1898
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 4 3/4 inches
Overall Length: 9 3/4 inches
Action: Double Action Army
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.