1587

Scarce .476 Caliber Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter Photographed in Colt'

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
Scarce .476 Caliber Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter Photographed in Colt'
This Colt Model 1878 DA revolver was manufactured in 1892 and chambered for the .476 cartridge. The revolver has the Colt high polish blue finish, hammer and trigger with polished sides, case-hardened lanyard loop and two-piece, checkered, hard rubber, bird's head grips. The grips have the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval. Colt factory letters that accompany this revolver state that it was shipped to Colt's London Agency on April 2, 1892. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in one line. The left side of the barrel is marked: "476-CAL.". The bottom of the barrel is stamped with British proof and inspection marks and the number "460". British "Crown/CP" and "Crown/V" proof and inspection marks are stamped on the inside of the cylinder flutes. The "460" mark on the barrel is found on .476 revolvers in the 30,000 serial number range. The back of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number, "32". The full serial number, "30/184" is stamped in two lines n the bottom of the grip and the partial serial number "184" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. This revolver is illustrated on page 367 of "COLT'S DOUBLE-ACTION REVOLVER, MODEL OF 1878" by Don Wilkerson. Don Wilkerson estimated that Colt manufactured 2,458 Model 1878 D.A. revolvers chambered for the .476 Enfield cartridge; 1,682 of the these revolvers were blued and had 5 1/2-inch barrels.
BBL: 5 1/2 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 476
Finish: blue
Grips: hard rubber
Serial Number: 30184


Period retailer refurbished. The revolver retains more than 95% of the aforementioned high polish blue finish. There is some minor holster wear on the barrel at the muzzle and edges of the cylinder flutes. There is some finish loss on the top of the frame and on the grip straps. There is some scattered age spotting on the frame, barrel and cylinder. The hard rubber grips are in excellent condition. The markings are crisp. The revolver functions perfectly. This is an extremely well documented example of a scarce Colt Model 1878 D.A. revolver.