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Colt Alaskan U.S. Gov 1878/1902 45 Colt Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Colt Alaskan U.S. Gov 1878/1902 45 Colt Revolver
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The lot features an exceedingly Rare U.S. Government Issue Colt M1878/1902 Double Action Revolver in a .45 Colt Caliber reffered to as the “Alaskan” or Philippine” model. Only approximately 4600 of these revolvers were purchased by the US Army to replace the .38 caliber New Army Model Double Action Revolver. The Alaskan or Philippine Model Revolver features a 6 inch barrel with blue’d steel finish, a six shot cylinder, and distinct large trigger guard. This is the distinct variation of the Model 1878 Colt having the large trigger guard. The large trigger guard is explained in Wilkerson’s excellent book on Colt 1878. The reason for the larger trigger guard is simply that the main hammer spring wasn't strong enough in the standard commercial Model 1878 Double Action Revolver to reliably ignite the primers on military manufactured .45 Colt ammo. In order to increase the spring power and still make it possible to fire the revolver double action by pulling the trigger to cock and fire the weapon, the trigger had to be lengthened for more leverage and thus the bigger trigger guard. This is a truly a superb example with nearly all the barrel blue intact with only some light holster wear, fine deep blue on the cylinder, fine frame blue, exc. fire blue on the hammer back and trigger sides, beautiful original Colt hard rubber grips, lanyard swivel intact, front sight has not been altered, exc. markings, exc. bright bore. A very rare U.S. Government issue revolver used during the Philippine Insurrection. Seldom seen on the collector market today and this excellent unaltered example would be a fitting addition to the finest Colt or U.S. military arms and armor collection. The revolver also shows the correct checkered Rampant Colt hard rubber grips with lanyard loop on the butt. This excellent example shows all the correct Colt markings in addition to the Government inspector stamps. The right side of the frame is stamped, “U.S” and dated “1902”. The intials “J.T.T.” are stamped on the right corner of the frame above the grips. The Ordnance sub inspectors initials “R.A.C.” are stamped on the rear face of the cylinder, on the left front of the of the trigger guard bow and on the left rear of the frame above the grips. “P” firing proof on the rear face of the cylinder and the underside of the barrel is marked with a “P” and “K”. The revolver also shows the 45195 serial number matching on the grip strap, loading gate, and cylinder. The piece shows the standard on line address on the top of the barrel, “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A” along with the “45 COLT” on the left side of the barrel. A circled Rampant Colt is located on the left side of the frame at the bottom right above the grip. Possibly one of the finest examples of this very rare Government issue variation currently available for public purchase. This revolver was manufactured in 1901. This is a Curio & Relic firearm. FFL transfer or NICS background check required. Serial number is 45195. Lesser condition and original examples of this model have sold in excess of $4,200.00 with this being a much more correct and rare example. Truly a top end Colt Revolver Collector piece. MO