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Exceptional, Historic, Documented Factory Cut-Away Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolver Serial Number 3 - Serial no. 3, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This revolver is consecutively serial numbered to serial number 2 that is also a factory cut-away Model 1878. These revolvers are referenced by R.L Wilson in “THE BOOK OF COLT FIREARMS” where he notes: “Cutaways appear on the M Hammerless gun, page 330 (B) and on Serial #2, #3, #1248, #3033, and #30327 in the Connecticut State Library collection”. In “COLT’S DOUBLE-ACTION REVOLVER MODEL OF 1878,” author Don Wilkerson states that six Colt Model 1878 DA revolvers were discovered during research and that serial number 1 was in the Museum of Connecticut History. He further states: “Serial numbers 2 and 3 are also known to be cutaways, but were not personally examined by the author. It is assumed that these three cutaway revolvers were assembled within their own serial number range.” The revolver is cut away on the left side of the frame and side plate. The cuts appear nearly identical to Model 1878 cutaway serial number 1 illustrated on page 333 of “COLT’S DOUBLE- ACTION REVOLVER”. The top of the barrel of serial number 3 has the roll-stamped dual Hartford/London address, and lacks caliber markings on the barrel and trigger guard. The serial numbers are stamped on butt ahead of the lanyard loop and on the rear face of the loading gate. The inside of the grips are badly oil-stained, and no markings are visible. It has the Colt high polish commercial blue finish on the barrel, frame, and cylinder. The trigger, top of the hammer, loading gate, and screw heads have a fire blue finish. The sides of the hammer and trigger are polished bright. The lanyard loop is color casehardened. The checkered walnut grips have the bird’s head shape and a piano varnish finish. Colt factory cutaway revolvers are extremely rare.
CONDITION: Very fine with 75% plus of the bright original high polish finish. The finish on the left side of the barrel has scattered flaking. The back strap shows handling wear and has faded to a smooth gray patina. The balance of the revolver has scattered minor handling marks. Most of the fire blue finish is present on the hammer top
and loading gate. The fire blue finish on the trigger has faded slightly. The grips are in excellent condition with sharp checkering and retain most of the varnish finish. Mechanically excellent. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own only the third production Colt Model 1878 DA revolver in exceptional condition!
Provenance: The David Woloch Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000