Make: Colt
Model: 1878 Double Action Frontier Six-Shooter
Serial Number: 32166
Year of Manufacture: 1893
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Action Type: Single/Double Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate
Barrel Length: 7 1/2"
Sights/Optics: The rear sight is a "V" notch integral to the top strap. The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered hard rubber with smooth borders, wedge-shaped smooth base and rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel. The grips have some scattered light nicks and small scratches. The left panel has a filled loss at the bottom-rear. The checkering is generally well defined. The fit of the right panel is good, the left panel fit may indicate replacement. Overall, the grips are in Good-Very Good condition as repaired Antique.
Type of Finish: Nickel
Finish Originality: Refinished, the serial marking on the cylinder is non-matching. The frame and trigger guard may have been factory refinished, we do not believe the barrel is factory finished.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 4/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 80% of its current metal finish. There is finish loss at most edges, more notable on the top-left edge of the frame at the rear and the edges of the grip straps where there is notable oxidation. There is a stripe of finish wear on the right of the frame from the loading slot down to the trigger guard. There are some other small patches and several tiny spots of oxidation through the finish. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete, more notably worn on the barrel. Overall, this revolver rates Very Good condition, as refinished and not all parts-original Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1878 Double Action Frontier was Colt's large-frame answer to the growing demand for a revolver combining the power of frontier cartridges with double-action operation. Designed by William Mason and introduced shortly after Colt’s smaller Model 1877, the Model 1878 used a loading gate, rod ejector, and overall architecture familiar to users of the Single Action Army while employing entirely different double-action lockwork. It was offered in several major revolver cartridges, including .44-40 which was designated Frontier Six-Shooter, and approximately 51,000 were produced during its lengthy production run.
This 7 1/2" Frontier Six-Shooter example retains about 80% of its current nickel finish, with a six-pointed star on the trigger guard indicating return to the factory for some work. It is possible that the nickel finish on the frame and trigger guard are factory applied, but the washed-out markings on the barrel and non-matching serial marking on the cylinder likely indicate that these parts were refinished and replaced, respectively. In any case, it's in better shape than any of us will be at more than 130 years old, retaining good mechanics. It will make a good addition to a collection of early double-action cartridge or Colt revolvers. Please see our photos and good luck!
