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LOT 3127
Stunning Factory Deluxe Engraved, Nickel and Gold Plated Etched Panel Colt
Frontier Six Shooter Model 1878 Double Action Revolver with Pearl Grips and
Factory Letter - Serial no. 17529, 44-40 WCF cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel/gold
finish, pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter lists revolver as one of two guns of
this type in a shipment on September 8, 1886, to Pribyl Brothers in Chicago, Illinois, and
confirms it as factory engraved, nickel finished with gold cylinder, in .44 caliber with 5
1/2 inch barrel, and pearl grips. “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver Model of 1878” by Don
Wilkerson provides detailed insights into the number of Model 1878s engraved by the
factory. On page 194, the author indicates his survey found just 284 Model 1878s were
factory engraved. On page 275, he indicates that of the factory engraved revolvers,
126 were in .44-40, with only 2 like this rare example having been factory made with a
5 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish with gold cylinder, and pearl grips. The revolver features
stunning deluxe factory engraving typical of the Model 1878s engraved under Colt
Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht, with floral scrollwork on beaded backgrounds along
with border designs, stars and fan motifs, and dot accents. The barrel has a blade front
sight, the one-line Hartford address marked on top, “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” in
an acid etched panel on the left, and “44” marked on bottom. “44 CAL” is marked on the
left side of the trigger guard at the front. Full serial number marked on the butt, with
assembly number “230” on the loading gate, and “17” and “L” on the rear face of the
restored, replacement cylinder. It is fitted with a very attractive pair of pearl grips with
Rampant Colts at the tops.
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