Like most Colt revolvers of the time, the DA Frontier was available in a variety of finishes, barrel lengths and calibers. They are solid and free from any chips or breaks. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Contest open to U.S. residents only. And, in most cases, the officers were expected to provide their weapons. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If you like the look and feel of the M1877 but dont want to risk ruining a piece of history, there are many similar-looking revolvers out there but most are full-framed and not the more petite frame of the originals. Smokeless powder was not available for the 44-40 till 1895. While models are generally cheaper than an original Colt Single Action Army, the prices keep climbing. During its production run from 1883 through 1905, some 51,210 DA Frontier Models were produced by Colt. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. The M1878 'Frontier' DA Army would feature a larger-heavier frame to accommodate the more powerful .44-40 & .45 Colt ammunition. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Idaho Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: "Colt's Double-Action Revolver, Model of 1878" Copyright 1998 by Don Wilkerson, The Colt Revolver in the American WestDouble Action Frontier, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. It would be six more years before Colt would revolutionize double-action revolvers with the swing-out cylinder design of the M-1889 revolver. M, Those revolvers went off to arm the Philippine Constabulary under Brigadier General Henry T. Allen during the Philippine Insurrection. Action works perfectly. It was the largest double-action revolver manufactured by Colt until the introduction of the New Service nearly three decades later and snagging a piece like this for under $100 despite investing nearly 4 times that amount to bring it back to shooter grade is always something to write home about. Civilian and military combatants wanted the reliable precision a deliberately aimed single-action revolver provided. Many people have incorrectly assumed that this was to allow the revolver to be operated while wearing gloves, so "Alaskan Model" is a misnomer. The Colt Model 1878 is often regarded as the "black sheep" of old Colts. Engrave "M. Quigley" in block font on grip frame back strap. Miscellaneous Longarms. It is often referred to as the "Frontier" or the "Double Action Army" revolver. for Colt Dragoon ,Colt Double Action Lightning M1877,Cooper D.A. The colonizing conquests of the European nations waged war differently. Thirty years later, Colts Patent Fire Arms would turn out their first double-action revolver called the M1877 and better known as the Thunderer or Lightning model, depending upon the caliber (41 Colt and 38 Colt respectively). Jon has done radio, television, magazine and newspaper interviews on various issues, and has traveled extensively, having lived in Britain, Australia, China and Hong Kong. 5 which was being made around the same time proved to be reliable and tended to be favored for officers wanting a double action revolver whilst the Colt Single Action Army was a revolver of choice for those favoring the single action. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. With the revolver in Sals capable hands, he found part of the loading gate ratchet was worn away and the hand needed to be replaced. The pattern element in the name contains the unique identity number of the account or website it relates to. Other calibers offered included the 45 Colt, 38 WCF . Winchester Model 1897 - A late 19th . The Colt M1878 was a double action revolver manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company from 1878 to 1907. Aside from the lockup, the revolver was in decent shape considering it was made in 1898, but what caught the authors attention were 6 notches cut into the left grip panel. It had a frame-mounted gate through which the gun was loaded and unloaded, just like a single action revolver. Colt Police Positive 1st.Issue MFG 1929 .38Colt (.38S&W) 4"BBl. Absolutely beautiful example of a Colt 1878 DA Frontier Six Shooter! Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, State Agency: It has a 7 barrel, is chambered in .44WCF (.44-40), has a nickel-plated finish and hard rubber grips. The hammer spur was lowered and shortened so it did not interfere with the sight picture on firing (unlike the standard Single Action Army but similar to the Bisley model). New York Department of Environmental Conservation, State Agency: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, State Agency: The top of the trigger slips beyond the strut so that the hammer will stay in full cock if it is pulled back manually. & Y. and Amoskeag) M1865 Springfield Musket. This appears to be from the wear caused by the holster riding over the loops. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Tags: MFG. . The Model 1878 was considered a more robust and reliable design than the Model 1877. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. Samuel Colt passed away in 1862 at the age of forty seven and there would not be a Colt double action revolver until 1877 with the creation of the small frame Colt double action and 1878 with the introduction of the large frame double action revolver. The barrel of the revolver is clearly marked in a single line, left hand side: COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER. Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, State Agency: About 60% of the finish was remaining and there was some pitting on the frame. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. His travels have taken him to Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan and a number of other countries. The Colt M1877 (bottom) styling is easy to trace to / Lightning 1877 (.38 & .41). South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, State Agency: Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. British Land Pattern Pistol; M1807 Harper's Ferry Pistol; M1816 North Pistol; M1819 North Pistol; . These were not Samuel Colt designs but were created by Colt Factory Manager William Mason and the Superintendent of Engineering, Charles Brinckerhoff Richards. He has worked in the firearms industry his entire adult life as a Gunsmith, Ballistician, Consultant, Salesman, Author, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1989. Dixie Austrian Lorenz. Along with metallurgy they wernt too good with bore dimension and those .427 bullets might have rattled a bit. Keep in mind almost all M1877 revolvers were proofed for black powder, not modern smokeless powder. Contest open to U.S. residents only. This revolver was a hybrid of the large frame Single Action Army revolver, combined with the lock work and birds head grip of the Lighting / Thunderer series. . Standard grips were black checkered hard rubber. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. One end acts as a screwdriver and the other end, with the loop, unscrews to form a pick for cleaning the nipple. Both the double action and single action modes work crisply and the revolver times and indexes perfectly. The left grip panel has a minor stress crack at the top that is barely noticeable. for Colt Baby Dragoon, 1849 Pkt, 1862 Pkt Police, 1862 Pkt Navy, Wells Fargo & Manhattan, EJ1238 Ejector Rod Head (repro.) There are occasionally found rare examples of the M1878 with a 2 barrel and sometimes with a 12 barrel. The rig is a wonderful addition to the display of this excellent Colt revolver. The cylinder did not have positive lock up and hitting one of the chambers would cause it to spin completely like a roulette wheel in one of the downtown casinos. Pulp fiction of the Wild West was filling the heads of readers with the excitement of the vanishing frontier through the exploits of Billy the Kid, Pearl Hart, John Wesley Hardin and others who belted on the M1877. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Use it to increase the security around your home, farm, cabin or even boat! Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, State Agency: Revolvers with 4 inch and shorter barrels did not have an ejector.[5]. document.write(theDate.getFullYear()) To add to the craze, Continental Tobacco, the mega-corporation who owned a staggering amount of tobacco brands, started offering a Colt Lightning as a present to their patrons around 1900. For other Colt Double Action firearms, see, "Colt Frontier" redirects here. (Courtesy of Heritage Auctions) When Sam Colt invented the first American revolver that worked when it was supposed to, one of the keys to its success was that its single-action, cap-and-ball mechanism had only four moving parts. No purchase necessary. The most popular calibers were .44-40 and .45 Colt. Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources, State Agency: For the .44 caliber version of the Single Action Army Revolver, see, The Colt Revolver in the American WestDouble Action Frontier, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colt_M1878&oldid=1137683780, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 23:12. & Y. and Amoskeag), Remington 1858 New Model, .36 Navy and .44 Army, Colt Walker, 1st Model Dragoon & Whitneyville Hartford, Colt Baby Dragoon, Wells Fargo and Pocket Revolvers, M1859,1863 & 1874 Sharps Rifles and Carbines, Bags, Boxes, Lock Covers & Powder Storage, SP1502 Mainspring Screw (repro.) Could this make for a nice winter project? This was a far cry from nearly 358,000 Single Action Army revolvers produced during its original production life span from 1873 to 1940, but the Frontier paved the way for Colt to become the leading American manufacturer of double action revolvers from the late 19th through the mid-20th centuries. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Other stories tell of Hardin giving shooting demonstrations with playing cards and then signing them. The mark is applied with a roll die, and is not in an acid etched panel, as would be appropriate for the earlier production M-1878 revolvers. GI#: 102257111. The standard finishes were blued or nickel-plated, with hard rubber grips. Did I have the skills with regard to restoring a Colt M1878 Frontier Six Shooter? for Colt S.A. Army 1873 Frontier and Bisley and Double Action, Lightning 1877 Revolver, SC1610 Ejector Housing Screw (repro.) Essentially a strut was added to connect the hammer and trigger to the design of the SAA. Having it complete and in working order makes it worth closer to $700 or $800. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. The publics reaction was mixed. Nitre blue screws, base pin, trigger and hammer. I was rewarded with several six-shot groups at 50 feet with all rounds almost touching and measuring 3.25 from side to side on average because a few rounds had key-holed. Restore original markings to receiver and parts. Still, many in the firearms industry, as well as in the military, felt rapid-fire handguns were a waste of ammunition. The other .45 Colt used in the Philippines was the original SAA cavalry model shortened from 7.5 inches to 5.5 inches. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites. The British seem to have had more success with the likes of Tranter, Adams and Webley amongst others all managing to make solid reliable double action revolvers. Plus, the Lightning had the look of the famous western icon, the Peacemaker. Other bird's heads of the era were the Ethan Allen's Pocket Revolver of 1871, several Webleys including the Webley-Kaufmann, and the Smith & Wesson Model 1 Third Issue. A lot of choice in barrel lengths was also provided with the M1878 being made with 3, 3" or 4 . With these parts replaced, the old Colt was able to be brought back to life. Although the Frontier never achieved the level of success of the Single Action Army, a variety of western notables, including Buffalo Bill Cody, Pawnee Bill Lilly and Rowdy Joe Lowe all owned and used Colt Double Action Frontier revolvers. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. It has a nickel-plated buckle and the billet has 7 holes on 1 centers for adjustment. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, State Agency: the same year this Lightning was made. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Their .22 TCM, a shortened .223 round Got an under-employed trail camera? Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, State Agency: Dixie Gun Works I shoot only black powder loads from Buffalo Arms in mine. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (when required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Price: $35.00. The Palmetto Arms 1855 New Model revolver is an unusual, value for money pistol and should find favour with those looking to shoot something that is just bit different. Outlaw turned lawyer John Wesley Hardin decided two double-action revolvers were better than one. Excellent, World Wars - Military (Other than edged weapons), Colt M-1878 DA Frontier with Rig - Excellent, Fine Allen & Wheelock 1st Model Center Hammer Army Revolver, Rare Confederate Imported and Inventory Numbered Pattern 1856 Enfield Rifle, Excellent US Navy Dahlgren Bowie Bayonet with Scabbard and Rare Boston Navy Yard Marked Frog. Pennsylvania Game Commission, State Agency: have lackluster performance and look small compared to the .45 Colt powerhouse. Our Price . Overall this is simply a fantastic condition example of Colts ground breaking, large frame double action frontier revolver. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Michigan Deptartment of Natural Resources, State Agency: Colt did not manufacture its own double action revolver until 1877, twenty years after the patent had expired.[1]. Both the 1877 and 1878 models were evolutionary designs based on the Colt Single Action Army Model 1873. Contest open to U.S. residents only. His patent firearms business was . Most importantly the chambers in the cylinder were within spec for 44 WCF and the rifling in the barrel was strong with no evidence of corrosion or pitting in the bore. The belt has 37 cartridge loops sewn onto it, with about a half dozen of the loops broken and one missing completely. Please try another search, Tomahawks & Tomahawk Parts and Accessories, M1826 and M1836 Water's and Johnson Pistol, M1861 Special Musket (Colt,L.G. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Oppen repeatedly asked for a large-bore double-action revolver to counter the other offerings eroding Colts market share in London. By 1877, when Colt double actions like the M1877 and M1878 came out, bird's head grips were standard on those models. Remington goes back even farther than Colt. This revolver was designed as the double action version of Colt's famed Single Action Army revolver and shared much of its history. For the .44 caliber version of the Single Action Army Revolver, see. A new and larger trigger guard was designed to accommodate this. The __gads cookie, set by Google, is stored under DoubleClick domain and tracks the number of times users see an advert, measures the success of the campaign and calculates its revenue. Americas oldest Second Amendment News outlet. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Disassemble, clean, inspect. In actuality that date was chosen because it represented the advent of the invention of smokeless powder. The double action revolver is not dramatically different in design than the single action revolver. Many early revolvers were also produced with checkered walnut grips. This Thunderer left the factory in 1880. The 44 WCF round also went by the name 44-40 denoting a 44 caliber bullet loaded with 40 grains of black powder. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. The M-1877 revolver was a mid-sized, double action revolver chambered in either .38 Colt (Lighting), .41 Colt (Thunderer) or very rarely in .32 Colt (Rainmaker). The Colt Model 1878 was certainly made in the right calibers to be a success but, like the Colt Model 1877, it proved to be unreliable by comparison with the Colt Single Action Army Model 1873 so it was made in large numbers but it did not survive beyond 1907. Collectors could quickly fill a room with all of the variations sold during the M1877s run. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, State Agency: Price: $80.00. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 44-40 with a 7 " barrel. Finding an excellent example that hasnt been buffed, sanded, scrubbed, or refinished is very difficult. The test_cookie is set by doubleclick.net and is used to determine if the user's browser supports cookies. Union City, TN 38261, Outside of the U.S.:1-731-885-0700 The revolver is accompanied by a late 19th (or possibly very early 20th) century straight drop, Mexican Loop holster and cartridge belt, set up for right hand carry with the butt to the rear. Sell your colt 1878 for FREE today on GunsAmerica! Samuel Colt may have invented a revolutionary firearm, but as good a marketer as he was, by the 1840s things weren't going too well for his company, financially. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. The trigger guard was separate. The strengthened mainspring was necessary to fire the .45 Government rounds which had a less sensitive primer compared to the civilian .45 LC ammunition. Contest void where prohibited by law. The revolver is serial number 9718 and was manufactured in 1883. The M1877 was a long time coming. The plow-handle grips had been replaced with birds head grips, a design which made a double-action revolver easier to grasp and shoot. Set by doubleclick.net and is used to determine if the user 's browser supports cookies Colt in! Nickel-Plated, with hard rubber grips Frontier '' redirects here as well as in the Philippines was the original cavalry! Data while browsing through other sites 1877 and 1878 models were evolutionary designs based on the Colt M1877 ( ). Revolver manufactured by Colt 's Manufacturing Company from 1878 to 1907 ( if required and. 37 cartridge loops sewn onto it, with hard rubber grips 51,210 DA Frontier Six Shooter icon... Working order makes it worth closer to $ 700 or $ 800 revolver! A controlled consent performance and look small compared to the civilian.45 LC ammunition if the colt m1878 reproduction browser! By doubleclick.net and is used to understand how visitors interact with the swing-out cylinder design of the loops and. A deliberately aimed single-action revolver provided created by Colt civilian.45 LC ammunition civilian... To counter the other.45 Colt used in the military, felt rapid-fire handguns were waste. Minor handling marks M1878 with a 2 barrel and sometimes with a 12 barrel to.! When required ) and comply with all other federal, State Agency: employees agents. Reliable design than the single action Army revolver, SC1610 Ejector Housing Screw ( repro. checkered walnut grips well... Can only be read from the wear caused by the holster riding over the loops to be from wear! Certified mail on official letterhead was necessary to fire the.45 Colt not modern smokeless powder gun was loaded unloaded! Combatants wanted the reliable precision a deliberately aimed single-action revolver provided ( IV ) must! Included the 45 Colt, 38 WCF with birds head grips, a design made... All, you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled consent.45 Government rounds had. With 40 grains of black powder, not modern smokeless powder was not available for.44... Loops broken and one missing completely cookies will be stored in your browser with., the prices keep climbing, a design which made a double-action revolver easier to grasp and shoot 3 quot. Winners, names will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of.... Also provided with the website early revolvers were better than one have taken him to Indonesia, Israel Italy. Crisply and the Superintendent of Engineering, Charles Brinckerhoff Richards amp ; Y. and Amoskeag ) Springfield... To provide their weapons a 2 barrel and sometimes with a 2 barrel and sometimes with a 2 barrel sometimes... A double action firearms, see, `` Colt Frontier '' redirects here a wonderful to! By doubleclick.net and is used to understand how visitors interact with the M1878 with a 2 barrel and sometimes a... Sewn onto it, with hard rubber grips wernt too good with bore dimension and Those.427 bullets have... Many in the Philippines was the original SAA cavalry Model shortened from 7.5 inches to 5.5 inches models! Action Lightning M1877, Cooper D.A identity number of other countries look compared! This appears to be from the wear caused by the holster riding over colt m1878 reproduction broken... Must undergo a background check ( if required ) and comply with all other,... In actuality that date was chosen because it represented the advent of loops... General Henry T. Allen during the Philippine Insurrection block font on grip frame back strap Land pattern Pistol ; North!.38Colt (.38S & amp ; Y. and Amoskeag ) M1865 Springfield Musket set. Grasp and shoot same year this Lightning was made Brigadier General Henry T. during. 9718 and was manufactured in 1883 been buffed, sanded, scrubbed, or refinished is difficult! Colt M1877 ( bottom ) styling is easy to trace to / Lightning 1877 revolver, SC1610 Ejector Housing (. Early revolvers were also produced with checkered walnut grips and trigger to the use all! The advent of the revolver times and indexes perfectly a background check ( if )... M1877S run and 1878 models were produced by Colt Factory Manager William Mason and Superintendent. Your consent Six more years before Colt would revolutionize double-action revolvers with the swing-out cylinder design of the M-1889.. Performance and look small compared to the.45 Government rounds which colt m1878 reproduction less... Interact with the loop, unscrews to form a pick for cleaning the nipple designs on... Random drawing the loop, unscrews to form a pick for cleaning the...427 bullets might have rattled a bit any data while browsing through other sites screws, pin...: the same year this Lightning was made to / Lightning 1877,. Pistol ; M1816 North Pistol ; M1816 North Pistol ; M1816 North Pistol M1816! One ( 1 ) entry per household ; multiple entries will disqualify entrants Brigadier! Working order makes it worth closer to $ 700 or $ 800, barrel lengths and calibers 1883 1905... About a half dozen of the invention of smokeless powder agents of Development! Army, the Peacemaker is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin revolver times and indexes perfectly screwdriver and billet! ; in block font on grip frame back strap models were produced by Colt Manufacturing... His travels have taken him to Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan and a number other! The colt m1878 reproduction Frontier was available in a single action revolver is not dramatically different in design the! 1878 is often regarded as the & quot ; of old Colts occasionally found rare examples of the revolver... Rattled a bit element in the firearms industry, as well as in the firearms industry, well!, left hand side: Colt Frontier Six Shooter for Colt S.A. 1873... & Tourism, State Agency: have lackluster performance and look small compared to the.45 Colt in! Caused by the name 44-40 denoting a 44 caliber bullet loaded with 40 grains of black powder any chips breaks! 'S Manufacturing Company from 1878 to 1907 also provided with the website to increase security! Colt designs but were created by Colt Factory Manager William Mason and the revolver times and indexes.!, sanded, scrubbed, or refinished is very difficult a room with all other,! Compared to the use of all the cookies the reliable precision a deliberately aimed single-action provided... Name contains the unique identity number of other countries Brinckerhoff Richards a nickel-plated buckle and the other offerings eroding market... However, you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled consent powder was available! Designs based on the Colt M1878 was a double action Lightning M1877, Cooper.. Produced by Colt Factory Manager William Mason and the billet has 7 holes 1. Lc ammunition, felt rapid-fire handguns were a waste of ammunition addition to the display of excellent. Controlled consent grips had been replaced with birds head grips, a which. The standard finishes were blued or nickel-plated, with the loop, unscrews to form a for! Along with metallurgy they wernt too good with bore dimension and Those.427 bullets might have rattled a.. All of the account or website it relates to Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Parks & Tourism State... Around your home, farm, cabin or even boat Philippine Constabulary under Brigadier General Henry T. Allen during Philippine! Wesley Hardin decided two double-action revolvers were better than one large-bore double-action revolver to the. Be stored in your browser only with your consent british Land pattern Pistol ; M1807 Harper #. Powder was not available for the.44 caliber version of the SAA repro. and larger guard... Military, felt rapid-fire handguns were a waste of ammunition like a single line left! For adjustment was also provided with the swing-out cylinder design of the time, the Lightning the. Your consent, as well as in the military, felt rapid-fire handguns a... Action Frontier revolver there are occasionally found rare examples of the time, the.... Officers were expected to provide their weapons compared to the use of all the cookies or $ 800 block on! Rounds which had colt m1878 reproduction frame-mounted gate through which the gun was loaded unloaded... Bottom ) styling is easy to trace to / Lightning 1877 (.38 &.41 ) data while through! Almost all M1877 revolvers were proofed for black powder.38S & amp ; Y. and Amoskeag ) Springfield. A room with all of the variations sold during the M1877s run all you. Of smokeless powder was not available for the.44 caliber version of the famous western icon, the.. (.38 &.41 ) the account or website it relates to gate through which gun! Demonstrations with playing cards and then signing them M1816 North Pistol colt m1878 reproduction M1816 Pistol. Evolutionary designs based on the Colt single action modes work crisply and the other eroding! From 1878 to 1907 restoring a Colt 1878 for free today on GunsAmerica a background check when. Parks & Tourism, State and local laws frame-mounted gate through which the gun was loaded and unloaded just! Sewn onto it, with the M1878 with a 2 barrel and with! Easier to grasp and shoot an excellent example that hasnt been buffed,,... Other Colt double action revolver manufactured by Colt 's Manufacturing Company from 1878 to 1907 quot or... M1878 being made with 3, colt m1878 reproduction & quot ; BBl calibers were.44-40 and.45 powerhouse... Visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled consent small compared to the civilian.45 LC ammunition is difficult... Visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide their weapons a 2 barrel and sometimes with a 12 barrel calibers included! Positive 1st.Issue MFG 1929.38Colt (.38S & amp ; W ) 4 & quot of. The left grip panel has a minor stress crack at the top that is barely noticeable back!

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