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The story of the Omnipotent marked Model 1878 is retold in Don Wilkerson’s
seminal work “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver, Model of 1878,” and Wilkerson
referred to these handguns as “among the most sought after revolvers by
collectors today” (page 233). These incredibly rare revolvers feature an acid
etched “OMNIPOTENT” panel on the left side of the barrel, just as featured
on this example, and most “Omnipotent” marked Model 1878s were shipped
to B. Kittredge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Benjamin Kittredge is extremely
important to the Colt legacy. In the 1870s and 1880s, Kittredge dominated
the Colt retailer market. He is credited for coming up with at least nine Colt
model trade names that included the now legendary names “Peacemaker” for
the Single Action Army Revolver and “Lightning” and “Thunderer” for the .38
caliber and .41 caliber Model 1877 respectively. “Omnipotent” was Kittredge’s
trade name for the Model 1878, and he had this name etched on the left side
of the barrel. The first of these revolvers were shipped to Kittredge in August
1878. The last of these revolvers were shipped to Kittredge in May 1882. A
very limited number of these revolvers were shipped to other dealers such
as Hartley & Graham. The bulk of the “Omnipotent” revolvers were received
by Kittredge. These revolvers came finished in blue or nickel with at least one
nickel plated gun having a gold plated cylinder, grips varied from the standard
hard rubber to more costly special order material like pearl, a few were even
engraved, and in general they had 7 ½ inch barrels and were chambered in
.45 caliber. Based on Wilkerson’s reading of the available factory records, “A
total of 174 revolvers were shipped to Kittredge between the first Omnipotent
marked invoice on August 6, 1878, and the last Omnipotent marked invoice on
Mary 13, 1882. The author tends to think all of these revolvers were probably
etched with the Omnipotent marking. If we count only those revolvers listed
as Omnipotent in the records (the only revolvers that will definitely letter as
Omnipotent) we have only 154 revolvers” (page 236).
“Omnipotent” is defined by Merriam-Webster as “having complete or
unlimited power,” often associated with deities. It is a name that truly fits the
Model 1878 in powerful .45 caliber. Unfortunately, the “Omnipotent” trade
name did not catch on like Peacemaker did for the SAA. The revolver was
manufactured in 1881. As stated, the left side of the barrel has the incredibly
rare “OMNIPOTENT” acid etched panel. The top of the barrel is stamped with
the one-line Hartford
address. “45 CAL” is
stamped on the left
side of the trigger
guard. The full serial
number appears on
the butt ahead of
the lanyard loop, and
matching partial serial
number “799” is found on
the loading gate and on the
rear cylinder face with the individual
numbers stamped between the chambers. Besides the
matching serial number, the rear cylinder face is also stamped with a factory
“S” inspection mark. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was
shipped to B. Kittredge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 22, 1881 with a 7
1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber, nickel finish, and hard rubber stocks along with
the remark “Records indicated barrel marked ‘OMNIPOTENT.’”
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% original nickel finish with flaking,
some scattered patches of pitting, and a few areas cleaned with an abrasive
material. The acid etched panel is clear. The grips are very good with some
handling marks, slight chip at toe (right panel) and some softened checkering.
Mechanically fine. An incredibly rare “Omnipotent” acid etched Colt Model
1878 revolver missing from even the most advanced collections.
Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 25,000 - 35,000 107