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Impressive Cased Presentation Colt Model 1878 Double Action Frontier Six Shooter Revolver with Facto

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Impressive Cased Presentation Colt Model 1878 Double Action Frontier Six Shooter Revolver with Facto
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Impressive Cased Presentation Colt Model 1878 Double Action Frontier Six Shooter Revolver with Factory Letter

This is an outstanding example of a Colt Model 1878 Frontier Six Shooter revolver manufactured in 1896. The barrel has standard Colt one line Hartford address on the top and is stamped "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER .44-40" on the left side. "A FRIEND IN NEED/From your Wife. MAY 1908" is engraved on the barrel between the address and the model designation. The first and second lines of the inscription use different styles of engraving. The right rear trigger guard has the factory "six-pointed" rework star present. This was most likely added at the time of the aforementioned 1908 era factory inscription. The underside of the barrel is marked with the caliber designation "44" and the circled Rampant Colt is located on the left rear of the frame just in front of the grips. The full serial number "36/307" is located on the underside of the grip and the partial serial number "307" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. The rear of the loading gate is stamped "203". Nickel finish with niter blue trigger and hammer with polished sides, and a casehardened lanyard loop on the butt. Fitted with checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colt in an oval at the top. The accompanying factory letter verifies the caliber ".44/c" caliber, barrel length, nickel finish, rubber grips and that it was shipped as 1 of 5 to Hartley & Graham in New York, New York on December 16, 1896. The revolver comes in a English style oak case with a varnished finish with an inlaid brass escutcheon on the lid. The interior is lined with red baize and divided into four compartments with a 24-round oak cartridge board containing 24 rounds of 44-40 cartridges and a steel cleaning rod.

Manufucture: Colt
Model: 1878
BBL: 7 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Guage: 44-40
Finish: nickel
Grips: hard rubber
Serial Number: 36307

Excellent. The revolver retains 99% of the original factory nickel plated finish with some flaking on the forward portion of the cylinder, the inside edges on the frame adjacent to the cylinder and the edge of the barrel at the muzzle. At least 95% of the fiery niter blue finish is present on the trigger and hammer. The cylinder latch pin appears to be a contemporary replacement. The grips are excellent with minimal fading, light handling wear and crisp checkering. All of the markings are sharp and the engraved inscription is crisp. The action is excellent. The case is excellent. The top and sides have most of the original finish and show only light storage marks. The red baize lining is excellent and shows minimal contact wear and some oil stains. This is an impressive example of a rare inscribed Colt Model 1878 Frontier Six Shooter Revolver.