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LOT 78
Documented Antique Colt Sheriff’s
Model 1878 Double Action
Revolver with Extremely Rare 2
1/2 Inch Ejectorless .45 LC Barrel,
Pearl Grips, and Factory Letter - Serial
no. 16597, 45 Long Colt cal., 2 1/2 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, pearl grips. The Model 1878 revolver was
intended by Colt to be a double action alternative to
Colt’s legendary Single Action Army revolver, and an
improvement over their previous foray into the double action market with the Model 1877. With 51,210
being produced, the Model 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 ejectorless 2 1/2 inch barrel Model 1878
simply known as the Sheriff’s Model. Whether on the hip of a lawman or under the counter of a storekeeper’s shop, these Sheriff’s
Model Colt DAs were at the forefront of taming the wilds in growing cities or the western frontier, as well as in the holsters of all manner of
ruffians and outlaws. Today these Sheriff’s Model 1878s hold a special place in the hearts of collectors.
The accompanying factory letter confirms the 2 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber and blue finish with type of stocks not listed. The revolver was shipped on March 2, 1880, to E.E. Menges & Co. of
Kansas City, Missouri. This was a shipment of three guns of this type. Based on research conducted by Don Wilkerson, Colt only manufactured 3 blued Model 1878s with a 2 1/2 inch ejectorless
barrel in .45 LC (see page 216 of “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver, Model 1878”). The revolver is pictured and identified on page 80 of Don Wilkerson’s “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver, Model of 1878.”
The extremely rare 2 1/2 inch barrel correctly has the two-line Colt Hartford address on the left side. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “45 CAL.”
CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining 20% original blue finish in and around the protected areas with a smooth brown patina on the balance. The period grips are excellent with highly attractive
fiery colors. Mechanically excellent. A very popular antique Colt Sheriff’s Model 1878 DA revolver with extremely rare 2 1/2 inch ejectorless .45 LC barrel.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 13,000 - 18,000
AS PICTURED AND
DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK
COLT'S DOUBLE ACTION
REVOLVER MODEL OF
1878 BY WILKERSON
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