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LOT 103
Antique Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolver with
Exceptional Relief Carved Steer Head Antique Ivory Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 31896,
44-40 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, antique ivory grips. The accompanying factory letter
states the revolver was in a one gun shipment on March 28, 1893 to C.J. Godfrey of New York City, and
confirms the 7 1/2 inch barrel, .44 caliber, and blue finish with the type of stocks not listed. The grips are antique
ivory, and right grip panel features both a finely detailed and attractive relief carved steer head. The period carving is exquisite
and certainly rates as one of the finest we have cataloged. The left panel has a unique lighter colored patch visible to the rear of the grip screw. 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. The top of the barrel is stamped with the one-line Colt Hartford address, and “COLT FRONTIER SIX
SHOOTER” is marked on the left side of the barrel. The cylinder is matching numbered “896” to the gun, with assembly number “32” on the loading gate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus original blue finish with charming smooth brown patina on the balance, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Grips are exceptionally fine with a hairline crack
visible towards the bottom of the right panel, an extremely small reglued speck visible on the rear of the left panel, and absolutely crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. This antique Colt Model 1878 revolver
with its exceptional steer head carved grip would make a fine addition to any Colt or western arms collection!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 102
Exceptional
First Year
Production
Cased London
Agency Shipped Colt
Model 1878 Double
Action Revolver in “.45
Eley Short” - Serial no. 564,
45 Eley Short cal., 5 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
The copy of the factory letter lists this early
Model 1878 revolver in a shipment of 56
guns of this type in “.45 Eley Short” with blue finish and a 5 1/2
inch barrel when shipped to Colt’s London Agency at 14 Pall Mall
on September 26, 1878. It has been theorized that the “Short”
cartridge designation was a recording error/misinterpretation based
on Colt’s agent Von Oppen ordering “short” revolvers. This revolver and the others we
have sold that are lettered as “.45 Eley Short” have “short” 5 1/2 inch barrels rather than
“long” 7 1/2 inch barrels. Note: the caliber marking on the left side of the trigger guard
is “45 CAL/B” which suggest .450 Boxer ammunition which was the standard English
service cartridge until 1880. It also has standard blade and groove/notch sights,
“COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. DEPOT 14 PALL MALL LONDON.” on top
of the barrel, small London proofs on the barrel and cylinder, the matching early serial
number “564” on the cylinder as well as the loading gate and butt, checkered walnut
grips hand numbered to the gun, and a lanyard loop on the butt. The included oak case matches others with London Agency shipped
Colt revolvers and has a London trade label inside, an L-shaped combination tool and cartridge block.
CONDITION: Very fine with 80% plus bright original high polish blue finish remaining, finish loss mainly due to flaking on the cylinder
which has light brown patina, bright hammer sides, and crisp markings. The grips are also very fine with most of the original varnish, crisp checkering, scattered minor dings and scrapes, and a chip on the left lower panel, near the
heel. Mechanically excellent. The case is also very fine and has mild storage wear including some slight chips at the corners. Overall, this is a very attractive, early, London shipped Colt Model 1878.
Estimate: 7,500 - 9,500