3389

Excellent Colt London Agency Model 1878 Double Action Revolver in 476 Caliber, Photographed in "Colt

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Excellent Colt London Agency Model 1878 Double Action Revolver in 476 Caliber, Photographed in  Colt
Also known as the Enfield Mark III Ball cartridge, the 476 was introduced in 1881 due to concerns regarding the Mark II .455 caliber round properly engaging the rifling of the Enfield revolver. Though phased out of British service in 1887, the Woolwich Arsenal continued Mark III cartridge production into the 1890s, and Dum in India produced the cartridge clear into World War One. This particular revolver was made in 1887, with fixed sights, the one Hartford/ Pall Mall address on top of the barrel and "476 CAL" on the left side of the trigger guard. London Proofhouse "crown/ V" and "crown/ GP" markings are present on the underside of the barrel and on the cylinder between the chambers. A fine niter blue finish is visible on the checkered hammer and smooth trigger. Matching partial number is present on the rear cylinder face, and matching "446" assembly number on the loading gate and left side of the butt. Grips are checkered hard rubber with Rampant Colt logos and a lanyard swivel on the butt. This revolver can be seen in a full page spread on page 362 of Don Wilkerson's "Colt's Double Action Revolver Model of 1878", which gives a production number of only 1682 for this configuration.
BBL: 5 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 476 CF
Finish: blue
Grips: hard rubber
Serial Number: 18713


Excellent, with 95% plus of the bright original blue finish, showing a brown patina on the ejector housing and in scattered patches, minor scratches and handling marks, and bright edge wear. The niter blue is strong and vivid, with a small amount of spotting visible on the hammer and trigger. Grips are excellent, with some minor scuffs. Mechanically excellent.