1903 NEW YORK SHIPPED Factory Lettered COLT M1878 .38-40 WCF Revolver C&R 1 of only 411 & DOCUMENTED DOUBLE ACTION

Description:
1903 NEW YORK SHIPPED Factory Lettered COLT M1878 .38-40 WCF Revolver C&R

1 of only 411 & DOCUMENTED DOUBLE ACTION

Here Ancestry Guns presents a C&R Factory Lettered New York shipped Colt 1878 Double Action Revolver, made in 1903 in Hartford, Connecticut. 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.

According to Colt serial number records, this gun was manufactured in 1903. The accompanying factory letter states this revolver was shipped in a single gun shipment on January 29, 1903, to H&D Folsom Arms Company in New York City, in .38-40 caliber, with a 7-1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and type of grips not listed. This is one of only a reported 411 standard Model 1878 revolvers shipped 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. 

Out of the 51,210 Model 1878 revolvers made, 4,600 were made for the United States Ordnance Department in 1902 and known as the “Philippine” models. They were intended to equip the Philippine Constabulary in the Philippine Insurrection.

The overall condition is near fine. Original blue finish. The original front sight has a finer sight install overtop of it. The action is excellent in both double and single action modes. The bore is shiny bright with sharp rifling. The Colt trademark grips are solid. Numbers match.

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.

$3500

#259598
 

Curio/Relic: Yes

Price: $3,500.00
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