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1902 DENVER SHIPPED Factory Lettered COLT M1878 .38-40 WCF Revolver C&R 1 of only 411 7-1/2” Blued .38-40
Guns International #: 103616085 Seller's Inventory #: 259316
Category: Colt Revolvers - Double Action Pre-War - Handguns - American Revolvers
Seller's Information
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Seller: AncestryGunsLLC
Company: Ancestry Guns LLC
Member Since: 11/3/16
State: Missouri
Zip: 65203
Country: United States
Phone: (314) 707-7373
International Phone: 314-707-7373
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 956
Total Number of Listings: 45589
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
1902 DENVER SHIPPED Factory Lettered COLT M1878 .38-40 WCF Revolver C&R
1 of only 411 7-1/2” Blued .38-40
Here Ancestry Guns presents a C&R Factory Lettered Denver, Colorado shipped Colt 1878 Double Action Revolver, made in 1899 in Hartford, Connecticut. This revolver was shipped to George Tritch Hardware Company in Denver, Colorado in 1902. This is one of only a reported 411 Model 1878 revolvers shipped chambered in .38-40 caliber, with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, and blue finish, out of a total of 1,731 in .38-40 caliber, according to figures on page 292 of Colt’s Double-Action Revolver, Model of 1878 by Don Wilkerson.
George Tritch was known as a “man of quick wit, deep thought, and marked business ability.” Quoted just before his death:
We came to Denver because the tide of immigration was this way; the people heard of the Pike’s Peak country & fabulous stories of gold. When we started out we had no idea where we were going, but I thought that towns had to spring up, and possibly I could make a living for my family. There is only one reason why we stopped in Denver. There was nothing here that was promising, but when we got this far our money had run out, & knowing that we could not go farther we were content to remain.
George Tritch was an immigrant to the United States, born April 26, 1829 in Baden-Wurttemberg, now in Germany. One obituary said that he arrived in Denver with a simple tinner’s outfit, another said he came “with nothing”. With whatever he brought, his labor, and wise investment, he not only founded one of the largest hardware stores in the West at a most advantageous time, he also dealt in real estate and government. He became a millionaire in a day when, adjusted for inflation, $1 million had the buying power of about $40 million in today’s money. He was considered a pioneer of the city, “one of Denver’s best and most popular citizens” who “had boundless faith in her metropolis”. He was a contemporary of another Denver merchant, J.P. Lower. Tritch’s sons continued the family business upon his death. He left his wife and 8 children when he passed in 1899.
The Model 1878 was designed by William Mason, Colt’s factory manager and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards, Superintendent of Engineering. The Model 1878, also known as the “Frontier”, was a much larger and more reliable version of the Model 1877 Lightning and Thunderer, Colt’s first double action revolvers. The 1878 Frontier also offered a much more comprehensive array of calibers, compared to the 1877’s three offerings. Despite all of this, the Model 1877 was clearly the popular favorite as over 166,000 were produced versus 51,210 of the Model 1878 made between 1878 through 1907. This gun would have been a handy companion to a Winchester in the same caliber.
The overall condition is fine. Quite a bit of original blue finish remains and share space with a light brown patina. The grips are in fine condition with minimal handling evidence. Strong action. The markings are legible. Bright bore with sharp rifling. The head of the cylinder pin has been scuffed up. This example is a must have in a wild west or late 19th century collection.
Own the original! This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic.
Barrel is 7-1/2 inches.
Caliber: .38-40 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Overall condition as seen in photos.
Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING. Will need to be sent to your local FFL or C&R licensee. This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic.
Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
$4800
#259316
Price: $4,800.00
Curio/Relic: Yes