Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this incredible double/single-action revolver today for a penny-start auction, this is the Colt Model 1878.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1878
Serial: 18466
Date of Manufacture: 1887 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup/)
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 5 1/2"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front with Fixed Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Black Hard Rubber Checkered Grips with Rampant Horses
Action: Double/Single-Action
Markings: Standard / The top of the barrel is stamped “COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG CO HARTFORD CT.U.S.A.” The left side of the trigger guard is stamped “44 CAL”. The bottom of the barrel is stamped “44”. The bottom of the butt is stamped with the serial number “18466”.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Possibly one of Colt’s most significant double-action revolvers, the Colt Model 1878 is a large-frame, six-shot revolver manufactured by Colt’s Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Connecticut, from 1878 to 1907. It was not originally referred to by the nicknames collectors now use—“Frontier” or “Double Action Army”—which emerged later in period catalogs and enthusiast literature. Designed by William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards, the Model 1878 was developed as a more robust and reliable evolution of the earlier small-frame Colt Model 1877. Its larger frame allowed it to be chambered in more powerful cartridges, including the .44-40 Winchester, .45 Colt, and in less common calibers, such as .32-20, .38 Colt, .38-40, .41 Colt, as well as British export cartridges like .455 Webley, .450 Boxer, and .476 Eley.
Model: 1878
Serial: 18466
Date of Manufacture: 1887 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup/)
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 5 1/2"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front with Fixed Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Black Hard Rubber Checkered Grips with Rampant Horses
Action: Double/Single-Action
Markings: Standard / The top of the barrel is stamped “COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG CO HARTFORD CT.U.S.A.” The left side of the trigger guard is stamped “44 CAL”. The bottom of the barrel is stamped “44”. The bottom of the butt is stamped with the serial number “18466”.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Possibly one of Colt’s most significant double-action revolvers, the Colt Model 1878 is a large-frame, six-shot revolver manufactured by Colt’s Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Connecticut, from 1878 to 1907. It was not originally referred to by the nicknames collectors now use—“Frontier” or “Double Action Army”—which emerged later in period catalogs and enthusiast literature. Designed by William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards, the Model 1878 was developed as a more robust and reliable evolution of the earlier small-frame Colt Model 1877. Its larger frame allowed it to be chambered in more powerful cartridges, including the .44-40 Winchester, .45 Colt, and in less common calibers, such as .32-20, .38 Colt, .38-40, .41 Colt, as well as British export cartridges like .455 Webley, .450 Boxer, and .476 Eley.
Barrel lengths ranged from 2 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches, with barrels 4 inches or shorter generally lacking ejectors. Standard grips were checkered black hard rubber, although some early examples were fitted with checkered walnut. Approximately 51,210 Model 1878 revolvers were produced during their run. Among these, approximately 4,600 were manufactured beginning in 1902 for the U.S. Ordnance Department to equip the Philippine Constabulary; featuring 6-inch barrels, strengthened mainsprings, lengthened triggers, and enlarged trigger guards, allowing for reliable firing of the .45 Colt Government ammunition. Export models marked “Pall Mall London” were specially marked and retailed through Colt’s London Agency for the British market, primarily chambered in .455 Webley or .476 Eley, with a small number produced in .450 Boxer, and typically bearing British proof marks. Over its production run, the Colt Model 1878 bridged the gap between Colt’s early small-frame double-action revolvers and the classic Single Action Army, securing its place as a durable, historically significant, and highly collectible firearm.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1151685192 |
BidPrice: |
0.01 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-02-08 21:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
352.97 |
