{"product_id":"original-u-s-colt-model-1878-frontier-six-shooter-44-40-d-a-revolver-with-4-3-4-barrel-made-in-1886-serial-16315","title":"Original U.S. Colt Model 1878 Frontier Six Shooter .44-40 D.A. Revolver with 4 3\/4\" Barrel made in 1886 - Serial 16315","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis revolver is in great shape, with some of the original blued finish present, and the rest faded to a lovely plum patina. The original black hard rubber Colt grips clearly show the \"Prancing Pony\" logo, and are in great condition, with virtually all of the original checkered texture still present. As this is relatively early production, there is no Colt logo stamped into the frame, which began in the early 1890s. It is marked on the bottom of the grip with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e16315\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating it was made in 1886. The back of the cylinder is marked with shortened number \u003cstrong\u003e15\u003c\/strong\u003e, so this is a \u003cstrong\u003eMATCHING\u003c\/strong\u003e revolver, without any major parts swapped out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example has a \"gunfighter length\" 4 3\/4 inch barrel, which shows no signs of alteration. There is however wear on the left side of the barrel as well as oxidation, so there are no traces of an etched \"COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER\" marking. However, it is stamped with a small \u003cstrong\u003e44\u003c\/strong\u003e on the bottom of the barrel, and with \u003cstrong\u003e44 CAL\u003c\/strong\u003e on the trigger guard, which indicates chambering for .44-40 Winchester Center Fire cartridges. 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Colt two line address marking on the top of the barrel is still legible and crisp:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. \u003cbr\u003eHARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis marking was used on the shorter barrel lengths, confirming that the barrel was not cut down from a longer length. The front sight is the correct shape as well, with no signs of alteration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe condition is very good, with a lovely patina of overall. There is still a lot of the original bluing, probably retained at 50% with other areas showing peppering and pitting. This definitely looks to be from storage in a holster, as much of the oxidation is on the sides of the barrel and on the cylinder, not on the recessed areas of the frame. The original Colt \"Gutta Percha\" composition grips are in lovely shape, with just a bit of wear to the checkering, great \"Prancing Pony\" markings, and a lovely dark brown color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore shows that the revolver saw significant use on the frontier. It still has lands and grooves visible, but the bore is mostly dark from powder fouling and oxidation. We tested the functionality in both double and single action, and it cycles well, though there is a bit of slop in the mechanics due to wear of the hand and ratchet. The ejector works great, with no sticking.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice service used example of an early design Colt Double Action Cartridge Revolver in the very popular .44-40 caliber! An ANTIQUE made in 1886, in lovely condition and ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1886\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .44-40 Winchester\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 4 3\/4 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 9 3\/4 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Double Action Army\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 6 Shot Revolver\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore on the Colt M-1878 Double Action Revolver:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSamuel 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40367969632325,"sku":"ONSV22CSS5","price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV22CSS5__01.jpg?v=1665180761","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-colt-model-1878-frontier-six-shooter-44-40-d-a-revolver-with-4-3-4-barrel-made-in-1886-serial-16315","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}