Make: Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company

Model: Model 1878 Double Action Frontier / Frontier Six Shooter

Serial Number: 42680

Year of Manufacture: 1899 / C&R. Shipped on Jan 30, 1901 - Letter

Caliber: .44-40 Winchester Center Fire (.44 W.C.F.)

Action Type: Single and Double Action, Side-Gate Loaded 6-Shot Revolver with Ejector Rod.

Barrel Length: 7 1/2"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch machined into the top of the frame.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth factory mother-of-pearl grip panels with escutcheoned grip screw. The left panel is period inscribed "B. F. Ratliff" in ornate lettering. The pearl displays attractive natural iridescence with age-related cream and yellow coloration. There are scattered light handling marks and surface scratches. A visible line or natural fissure is present on the left panel near the inscription and grip screw. No notable edge chips or material losses are visible. Overall, the grips rate in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with defined rifling. There is light to mild erosion down the length. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 6/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains approximately 20% of its original blued finish. The remaining metal has largely worn to a mottled gray and brown patina, with scattered oxidation, freckling, and areas of light surface erosion and pitting. The barrel retains areas of thinning blue, while the frame has predominantly drifted to gray-brown patina. The cylinder retains dark finish in protected areas with wear and patina on the exposed surfaces. The cylinder pin is largely in the white and appears to have been cleaned at some point. There is operational wear associated with the cylinder, loading gate, ejector assembly, and other working surfaces. The screw heads show scattered tool marks but retain serviceable slots. The principal factory markings remain clear and legible. Overall, this revolver rates in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The double action is smooth and the single action is crisp. The timing is good and the lockup is solid on all chambers with the trigger depressed. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver is accompanied by a Colt Archive Properties factory letter dated December 18, 2012; a Western Historical Gallery research letter concerning serial 42680; biographical and genealogical research concerning Benjamin Franklin Ratliff; cemetery records and other supporting research; and handwritten research notes.

Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1878 was Colt's first large-frame double-action revolver and became an important frontier-era companion to the Single Action Army. Serial number 42680 is an exceptionally scarce .44-40 example with a 7 1/2" barrel, blue finish, and factory mother-of-pearl grips. According to Colt records, only six Model 1878 revolvers were manufactured in this configuration. Its factory letter further documents a remarkable one-gun shipment to the Star Coal & Coke Company through Carlin and Fulton of Baltimore, Maryland on January 30, 1901.

Star Coal & Coke was a West Virginia mining concern dating to 1856. Around the turn of the century, tensions between mine owners and organized labor were intensifying throughout the coal fields, and Colt saw increasing orders for revolvers from mining companies during this volatile period. The accompanying research identifies B. F. Ratliff as a superintendent of Star Coal & Coke who personally special ordered this revolver. Its rare factory pearl stocks, one-gun shipment, and period "B. F. Ratliff" inscription strongly reinforce the character of a special-order sidearm.

Benjamin Franklin Ratliff, born in Alabama in 1838, later moved to Texas and served in the 20th Texas Infantry during the Civil War before his association with Star Coal & Coke. He died in Grimes County, Texas in 1906. With its one-of-six factory configuration, documented mining-company shipment, pearl grips, period personalization, and extensive accompanying research, this Model 1878 is a tangible artifact connecting Colt firearms history with the American coal industry, Civil War-era biography, and the labor unrest of the early 20th century. Few Model 1878s carry a story with this much historical texture.