COLT 1898 Frontier Variant 1902 Alaskan Philippine .45 Double Revolver 1900

SOLD FOR: $1225

LSB#: 210722TS78

Make: Colt

Model: 1902, variant of the 1898 Double Action Frontier, US Ordnance, “Philippine” or “Alaskan”.

Serial Number: 44727

Year of Manufacture: 1900 (COLT Serial Number Lookup)

Caliber: .45 Colt

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

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked “45 COLT”. The left side of the frame is marked “R.A.C.”, as is the left side trigger guard bow. The right side of the frame is marked “US” and “ITT”. The rear of the loading gate is marked “4727”. The butt is marked with the serial on two lines “44 / 727” forward of the lanyard loop. The rear face of the cylinder is  marked “4727”, “RAC”, and “P”.

Barrel Length: 6”

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

Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are checkered hard rubber with smooth borders, wedge-shaped smooth base and rampant colt in oval at the top of each panel. Each panel is worn down considerably, but more so the right. There are minor nicks and compressions on the smooth areas of both. The left side Colt is fairly well defined, the right is mostly bald. The checkering is only well-defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Good-to-Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is somewhat bright with well defined rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 33% of its metal finish. The barrel has a few patches of light pitting from erosion along with a few light nicks. The frame has light-to-moderate thinning on most edges. The cylinder has light thinning on the forward edge. The topstrap, trigger guard, frontstrap, and the backstrap have gone to white and to a light patina. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are fairly clear with the exception of the “US” marking which is half missing. Overall, this revolver rates Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with light play when the trigger is depressed. The double action trigger is fairly smooth. The single action is exceedingly light. 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 DA Frontier Revolver, Model of 1878 was made until 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 prior to 1899. In 1902, US Ordinance would procure nearly 5,000 of what is called the “Philippine” or “Alaskan” variant. It features a shorter 6” barrel and an oversized trigger guard for a begloved hand. This example retains about a third of its original finish, has a decent bore and good mechanics. It would make a great addition to a Colt collection. Please see our photos and good luck!