Make: Colt

Model: 1878 Double Action Frontier Six Shooter

Serial Number: 17463

Year of Manufacture: 1886 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .44-40 Winchester

Action Type: Single or Double Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER”, this mark has faded considerably. The top is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”, and the bottom is marked “44”. The left of the frame under the panel and the rear of the loading gate are marked “171”. The butt is marked “17 / 465” in front of the lanyard loop. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “465”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “44 CAL”.

Barrel Length: 4.75”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” notch in the top strap. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered hard rubber with smooth borders, wedge-shaped smooth base, and rampant colt in an oval at the top of each panel. Each panel has some scattered brown discoloration. The right grip shows more wear than the left. Otherwise, there are a few scattered light marks in the well-defined checkering. Overall, the grips are in about Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore. The bore rates high with an 8.5 /10 bore rating in this writer’s opinion.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 20% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in scattered light surface oxidation, most notable in the grip and frame areas; as well as areas of finish wear in the cylinder. The grip areas show handling wear. There is a lot of blue left behind to enjoy in the protected areas. Most of the blue has Patinaed brown over time. There is almost no finish along the side of the ejector housing. There are some other scattered light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from very thin to clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition as an Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with no play when the trigger is depressed. The double-action trigger is heavy but fairly smooth. The single action is crisp. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A Brown leather holster in fair condition.

Our Assessment: The Colt DA Frontier Revolver, Model 1878 was made through 1905, when swing-out cylinder double-action revolvers started to push loading gate revolvers out of the market. About 51,210 of these revolvers were made, with about 41,000 produced before 1899. This example retains some of its original finish and has a great bore and strong mechanics. It would make a great addition to a Colt collection.