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LOT 147
Exceptional Documented U.S. Philippine Constabulary Colt Model
1878/1902 Double Action Revolver as Featured in the Included Book
“Colt’s Double-Action Revolver Model of 1878” by Don Wilkerson - Serial no. 47749, 45 LC cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard
rubber grips. This revolver is pictured in the included book “Colt’s Double Action Revolver Model of 1878” by Don Wilkerson on page 376
where it is cited as “one of the 5,000 accepted by the Springfield Armory in 1902 and shipped to Manila for the Philippine Constabulary.”
These modified Model 1878s were manufactured upon request of the U.S. Army during the Philippine-American War and Moro Rebellion.
A stronger mainspring was installed to ensure the hammer had enough force to fire the .45 Long Colt government ammunition which
was less sensitive than the ammunition on the civilian market. The smaller Model 1878 trigger and trigger guard were replaced with larger
versions to help compensate for the resulting stiffer trigger pull. These revolvers also have a lanyard loop on the butt. This example is in well above average condition for a revolver sent to the Philippine jungle. The right side of the frame is marked with the U.S. inspector initials “JTT”, “1902”, and “US.”, and the left side of the frame, left side of the trigger guard and the rear cylinder face have the inspector initials “RAC.” A “P” proof mark is found on the rear cylinder face and underside of barrel, which also has a “K” inspection mark. The cylinder and loading gate are numbered to the gun.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 90% plus bright original high polish blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. 85% original nitre blue remains on the hammer and trigger. The grips excellent with minimal handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Don Wilkerson Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 4,000 - 7,000
According to author Don Wilkerson, this extremely rare Colt Model 1904 Revolver is one of only fifty produced for U.S. contract. These revolvers were shipped on December 23, 1904 and are thought to have been replacements for a case of revolvers dropped overboard while being shipped to the Philippines.
LOT 148
Exceptionally Fine, Scarce, Documented U.S.
Colt Model 1878/1904 “Alaskan/Philippine”
Double Action Revolver as Featured in the Included Book “Colt’s
Double-Action Revolver Model of 1878” by Don Wilkerson - Serial no.
51057, 45 LC cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1904 this is a very rare example of one of 50 Colt “Model 1904” revolvers shipped to the U.S. military. Little is known about these revolvers apart from that they were shipped to Springfield Armory exactly one year after the last major shipment of Model 1878/1902 “Alaskan/Philippine” revolvers were shipped. These 50 revolvers, like the Model 1902, were fitted with long triggers and oversized trigger guards, and they were listed in the Springfield Armory records as “New Service” revolvers. There has been some speculation over the years among researchers that this late shipment of 50 revolvers was intended to replace a crate of Model 1902 revolvers that was dropped overboard while en route to the
Philippines. These revolvers are nearly identical to the Model 1902s accepted by the government,
except that these never received a government inspector’s mark like their counterparts and are
simply marked “U.S.” in a smaller font on the right of the frame. They also have the circled Rampant
Colt on the left of the frame like the commercially sold revolvers. These revolvers were originally
shipped with checkered hard rubber grips, which have been replaced on this example with a
smooth walnut pair. This specific revolver is one of two examples pictured and described on p.
403-406 of “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver Model of 1878” by Don Wilkerson, a copy of which is
included. Also included is a plain shipping box with a label matching the gun.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish with
the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily on the back strap, bottom
front of the trigger guard, and edges. The replacement grips are excellent with only the slightest
handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Don Wilkerson Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 5,500 - 9,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN COLT'S DOUBLE-ACTION REVOLVER MODEL OF
1878 BY WILKERSON
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN COLT'S DOUBLE-ACTION REVOLVER MODEL OF
1878 BY WILKERSON
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