1879 Colt M1878 DA - Engraved - W/ Archives Letter (7.5"), 45 LC, Revolver, 1285

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  Lot #11 
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This Colt Double-Action Model of 1878 revolver comes with a Colt Archives Letter stating that it was shipped to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, New York, New York, on August 11, 1879, in a shipment of 9 guns. Schuyler, Hartley & Graham was the largest firearm dealer in the United States from 1860-1902. The engravings on this revolver are known by collectors as American "New York" style scrollwork patterns with a fine punch-dot background. This style of engraving is consistent and easily identifiable to the work of master engraver L.D. Nimschke or his shop. One of the premier 19th Century (1850-1900) New York engravers, he is best known for the custom engraved Colt revolvers that he executed for New York retailers, Schuyler, Hartley and Graham. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in one line, "45 Cal" is stamped on the left trigger guard bow and the serial number "1285" is stamped on bottom of the grip frame and loading gate. SPECS: Black checkered hard rubber grips with an embossed Rampant Colt within an oval on each side, 7.5 barrel, fixed notch & groove rear sight, fixed blade front sight, lanyard ring, checkered hammer and 6-shot fluted cylinder. CONDITION: This revolver still shows strong remnants of the original case-hardened finish throughout, the bluing is mostly gone except for the nitro-blued finish on the hammer, it has a sharp/clean bore and appears to be in good working order with a nice/ smooth 3-click action. HISTORY: The Colt M1878 is a double-action revolver that was manufactured from 1878 until 1907. It is often referred to as the "Frontier" or the "Double Action Army" revolver. A total of 51,210 Model 1878 revolvers were manufactured, including 4,600 for the US Ordnance Department in 1902. The Model 1878 is seldom mentioned in 19th-century gunfight accounts in part because newspaper reporters didn't know the proper terminology to describe it. For example, when Doc Holliday shot and wounded saloon owner Milt Joyce and his partner in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, on October 10, 1880, newspapers only described Docs revolver as a self-cocker when in fact it was a Colt M1878. SHIPPING - We offer free shipping anywhere within the continental US. All firearms must be sent to an FFL (or C&R if applicable) regardless of age or caliber. This includes antiques & muzzleloaders. PLEASE READ ALL TERMS BEFORE PARTICIPATING: There is no live crowd, no phone bidding, no left bids and we do not accept payment through the mail.

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This item is part of Firearms & Early Military Assets
 Friday, May 2, 2025 | 10:48 AM  Central
 
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1879 Colt M1878 DA - Engraved - W/ Archives Letter (7.5"), 45 LC, Revolver, 1285
1879 Colt M1878 DA - Engraved - W/ Archives Letter (7.5"), 45 LC, Revolver, 1285
Lot number: 11
Seller: Will Sullivan Auction Co.
Event: Firearms & Early Military Assets
Ends: Saturday, June 14 | 10:05 AM  Central

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1.178.0.1819.d18c6b8.14.24