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LOT 73
Rare and Attractive Factory Engraved First Year Production Omnipotent Etched Panel Colt Model 1878 Double
Action Revolver with Original Ivory Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 1480, 45 Long Colt cal., 4 7/8 inch round
bbl., nickel finish, original ivory grips. The included factory letter lists this revolver in .45 caliber, 7 1/2 inch barrel, nickel plated
finish, plain ivory grips, factory engraving, and the etched Omnipotent marking on the left side of the barrel. It was shipped to B. Kittredge & Co.
in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 24, 1878, with another gun of the same type. The second revolver is shown on page 66 of “Colt’s Double-Action
Revolver Model of 1878” by Don Wilkerson where the caption notes: “This rare revolver was in a shipment of two to Benjamin Kittredge & Co...This
revolver was in the second order by Kittredge for engraved Omnipotent revolvers.” It was Kittredge that came up with the “Omnipotent” nickname
for the .45 caliber Model 1878 as well as the Lighting and Thunderer nicknames for the Model 1877s and “Peacemaker” for the Single Action Army.
The Model 1878 built upon the success of the powerful Peacemaker and the fast shooting Lightning and Thunderer revolvers and offered serious
firepower. Only 284 Model 1878 revolvers were factory engraved per Wilkerson making this revolver very rare. The engraving is primarily scrollwork
with wavy line and dot accents. The barrel was period shortened likely to make the revolver more convenient to carry and has a blade front sight
and the one-line address on top, and the noted elongated oval “OMNIPOTENT” etched panel is on the left. “45 CAL” is marked on the left side of the
trigger guard at the front. “1480” is marked on the loading gate and butt, and “P480” is on the rear of the cylinder. The revolver is fitted with a very
attractive pair of smooth ivory grips and a lanyard loop.
CONDITION: Fine with crisp engraving, legible etched panel, 80% untouched original nickel plated finish, patches of original bright nitre blue on
the hammer and trigger, dark brown patina on the balance,
mild oxidation, and mild overall wear. The grips are very fine
and have attractive aged patina and grain, age lies, and light
scratches and marks. The revolver functions when pointed
down due to a weak hand spring. This is a rare opportunity to
acquire a first year production factory engraved Colt Model
1878 “Omnipotent” revolver with original ivory grips.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
According to "Colt's Double-Action
Revolver, Model of 1878" by Don
Wilkerson, only 284 Colt Model
1878 revolvers were factory engraved.
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