{"product_id":"original-u-s-colt-model-1878-frontier-six-shooter-44-40-d-a-revolver-with-4-3-4-barrel-made-in-1894-serial-34594","title":"Original U.S. Colt Model 1878 Frontier Six Shooter .44-40 D.A. Revolver with 4 3\/4\" Barrel made in 1894 - Serial 34594","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 very nice \"frontier worn\" condition, with a patina that is simply impossible to duplicate! The revolver was originally nickel plated, however over time that has mostly flaked away, with some still visible on the loading gate and on other areas of the revolver. The rest is now polished bright, with a bit of oxidation and speckling in areas. The original hard rubber Colt grips clearly show the \"Prancing Pony\" logo, with some lovely wear on the checkering in the rest of the grips, indicating long service. There is also still the Colt logo on the rear left side of the frame, just by the grip though it is a bit faint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is marked on the bottom of the grip with serial number\u003cstrong\u003e 34594\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating it was made in \u003cstrong\u003e1894\u003c\/strong\u003e. The back of the cylinder is marked with shortened number \u003cstrong\u003e641\u003c\/strong\u003e, so this was swapped out at some point, not uncommon when a revolver has been in service for a long time. There is also assembly number \u003cstrong\u003e72 \u003c\/strong\u003estamped on the loading gate. It is in full working order and condition, showing a gorgeous worn patina of age, sure to delight any \"Old West\" Americana collector.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example has a \"gunfighter length\" 4 3\/4 inch barrel, which shows no signs of alteration. It still bears the clear roll stamped marking on the left side of the barrel:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrevious 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 \u003cstrong\u003e44\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Colt two line address marking (correct for a 4 3\/4\" barrel) 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\u003eThe condition is very good, with a lovely patina of overall. The bore is in good condition, showing clear lands and grooves, but also overall oxidation and fouling, indicating long use. We tested the functionality in both double and single action, and it cycles well, without any of the usual finicky behavior we usually see. It does however have some overall wobble and slop due to wear. The ejector works great, with no sticking.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice \"frontier worn\" example of an early design Colt Double Action Cartridge Revolver in the very popular .44-40 caliber! An PRE-1899 ANTIQUE made in 1898, 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: 1894\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":40564892467269,"sku":"ONSV23TGS43","price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV23TGS43__01.jpg?v=1682126848","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-1894-serial-34594","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}