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LOT 3142
Documented, Outstanding
Antique Etched
Panel Colt Model 1878 Frontier Six Shooter Double
Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 10194, 44-40 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. Designed by William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff, Colt’s factory
manager and Superintendent of Engineering, the Model 1878 revolver was intended to be a double action alternative to Colt’s legendary Single Action Army revolver. With 51,210 being produced, the
1878 was never nearly as popular as its single action cousin; however, there were still many that favored it in the West for its firepower, including Captain Jack Crawford, who replaced Buffalo Bill Cody as “Chief of Scouts” shortly after the Battle of Little Bighorn. Offered here is an exceptional example as manufactured in 1883 and featuring the highly sought after “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” etched in an oval
panel on the left side of the barrel. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 7 1/2 inch barrel in .44 caliber, nickel finish, and
hard rubber stocks. The letter also states the revolver was shipped on March 15, 1883 to Hartley & Graham of New York City. This
was a fifty gun shipment. Based on research conducted by Don Wilkerson, this is one of 3,007 Model 1878s with a 7 1/2 inch barrel
in .44-40 WCF caliber and nickel plated that Colt manufactured (see “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver: Model of 1878,” page 261. These Model 1878s in .44 WCF are also very popular with today’s collectors, especially those in high condition with the etched barrel panel as this example features. The revolver has a nickel-plated barrel, cylinder and frame with niter blue hammer, trigger, screws and lanyard loop. The bird’s head grip is fitted with black checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval near the top. The top of the barrel is roll- stamped with the one line address: “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The caliber designation “44” is stamped on the bottom of
the barrel just in front of the frame. The caliber “44.C.F.” marking is stamped on the left front trigger guard bow. The serial number “10/194” is stamped in two lines on the butt in front of the lanyard loop. The rear face of the cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number “194” along with a small “H” and “J” inspection mark. “3D” is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The outside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number “170”. The acid etched “FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” marking was introduced on .44-40 Colt Single Action Army Revolvers by the New York City retailer John P. Moore’s Sons and was applied to 44 caliber Model 1878 Double Action revolvers from 1878 to 1889 when Colt substituted a roll die marking.
CONDITION: Excellent plus. The revolver retains 98% of the original nickel plated finish. Wear is limited to some very minor pitting on the right side of the frame above the rear trigger guard bow. Most of the fiery niter blue
is present on the trigger, the top surfaces of the hammer and the frame screws. The two-piece black hard rubber bird’s head grips are in very fine with some very minor handling wear. The original acid-etched “FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” panel is in nearly perfect condition. The other markings on the barrel trigger guard and frame are sharp. Mechanically excellent. This is an outstanding example of the very desirable Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolver with acid-etched “FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” panel. You might find one as nice, but not finer!
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
Frontier Six Shooter .44-40 W.C.F.
Action Army Revolver with Relief Carved Steer Head Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 124430, 44-40 cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. The
.44-40 WCF SAA has found a special place in the hearts of Peacemaker collectors. When introduced in 1877, the .44-40 WCF SAA was intended to be used in conjunction with the another legendary Western icon, the Winchester
Model 1873 Rifle, which used the same cartridge. “The .44-40 WCF was added to the list of Colt calibers for use with the
popular Winchester rifle of the same caliber,” wrote Colt author David Brown. “This combination of a rifle and a six shooter using the same cartridge made
it possible for their user to buy only one kind of ammunition, and he could carry ‘fodder’ for both guns in the same cartridge belt.” The included factory
letter states the revolver was shipped on April 23, 1890 to Montgomery Ward & Co. of Chicago, Illinois with nickel finish, 5 1/2 inch barrel in .44-40 caliber, and hard rubber stocks (currently fitted with period relief carved steer head pearl). This shipment was for 3 guns. The left side of the barrel has the highly
desirable “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” in an acid etched panel. In 1889 this highly desirable acid etched panel was replaced with a roll stamped marking. The top of the barrel has the one-line Colt Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. The left side of the trigger guard is stamped “44 CAL.” Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 75% original nickel plating with the balance a smooth gray patina. The acid etched barrel panel is very faint,
but legible. The otherwise fine grips have been repaired (left panel) with a crisp carving. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 3143
Documented Nickel Plated Acid Etched Panel Black Powder Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single
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