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LOT 247
Outstanding Documented Antique Colt Model 1878 Double Action
Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 35144, 45 Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. 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. This outstanding antique example has a factory letter which confirms the 4 3/4 inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, and hard rubber grips. The letter states the revolver was sold to Hartley & Graham of New York City and shipped on August 17, 1896 to Pogue, Miller & Co. of Richmond, Indiana. This was a 12 gun shipment. The barrel is marked “45 COLT” on the left side and has the two-line Colt Hartford address on top. The left side of the frame has an encircled Rampant Colt. The cylinder is numbered to the gun (“144”). Only 1,957 Model 1878s in this configuration (4 3/4 inch barrel in .45 caliber and blue finish) were manufactured per Don Wilkerson (“Colt’s Double Action Revolver,” page 213).
CONDITION: Excellent plus, retaining 97% plus bright original high polished blue finish with some mild thinning on the back strap. The grips are also excellent plus with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A stunning antique example of Colt’s famed Model 1878 DA revolver! Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 248
Exceptional 50-Count Box of Winchester Repeating Arms Company .45 Long Colt Cartridges - This is an exceptionally high condition, full box of Winchester Repeating Arms Co. .45 Long Colt cartridges, advertised as for “Colt’s Double Action and Single Action Army Revolvers”. The box retains a partial factory seal and is of plain cardboard construction with a red labels with black text on the top and sides. The top label features a picture of a Colt Model 1878 revolver, and the side labeling has the Winchester guarantee.
CONDITION: Excellent, the box shows very minimal wear or fading overall, with much of the factory seal remaining intact and its full compliment of cartridges. This is a very desirable box of Winchester ammunition, that one would search a long time to find a finer example! NOTE: Will ship to FFL’s only. If picking up must have FOID or FFL. All state and local laws apply.
Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
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