Antique Colt Model 1878 Double Action Frontier .45 Colt 7.5″ Revolver 1894
SOLD FOR: $1,075.00
LSB#: LSB260618MR082
Make: Colt
Model: 1878 Double Action Frontier
Serial Number: 33210
Year of Manufacture: 1894 / Antique (Colt Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Double/Single 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 bottom of the grip frame is marked “33” / “210”. The rear of the loading gate is marked “259”. The rear of the cylinder is marked “210”.
Barrel Length: 7.5″
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 two-piece checkered hard rubber with Rampant Colts within an oval and a smooth butt. There are scattered compressions and scratches throughout. The checkering remains defined, with smoothing along the backs of the panels. The is a repaired chip on the bottom of the right grip panels bottom. The interior of the grips around the screw holes have small cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Fair-Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is defined. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8.75/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 95% of its metal refinish. There is minor finish loss at the muzzle. There are scattered scratches, grinding/buffing marks, and compression dings. There is scattered pitting under the refinished blue. There is oxidation freckling along the frame, grip straps, cylinder, and trigger guard. The screw heads are tooled, with serviceable slots. The pins are unmarred. The remaining markings are legible. Overall, this revolver rates Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action does not function correctly. The cylinder free spins both directions until the hammer is pulled to the rear. The timing is off. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. We recommend having this revolver inspected by a qualified gunsmith before any attempts to fire.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: Display stand
Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1878 Double Action Frontier was Colt’s large-frame answer to the growing demand for double-action revolvers, combining the power and cartridge selection of the Single Action Army with a self-cocking mechanism. Designed by William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards, the Model 1878 retained the fixed, side-gate-loaded cylinder and SAA-style ejector system while allowing the revolver to be fired either by manually cocking the hammer or by pulling the trigger through double action. The .45 Colt was the model’s original and most common chambering, and the 7 1/2″ barrel was one of its standard factory lengths. Production ran from 1878 through 1905, with 51,210 revolvers manufactured, including the later U.S. military-contract Philippine or “Alaskan” variation. Serial number 33210 falls at the beginning of the documented 1894 production range, making this an attractive late-19th-century example of Colt’s important large-frame double-action frontier revolver.
This revolver has been refinished and retains approximately 95% of its current blue finish, though scattered grinding and buffing marks, underlying pitting, oxidation freckling, scratches, and compression marks remain visible and attest to its earlier wear. The checkered hard-rubber stocks retain good definition but show age and damage, including a repaired chip and small cracks around the grip-screw holes, appropriately placing them in Fair-Good condition. Particularly notable is the bright 8.75/10 bore with defined rifling and no visible erosion, which is a substantial positive on an antique revolver of this age. Mechanically, the revolver requires attention due to the reported timing problem, and the recommendation for inspection by a qualified gunsmith before firing is appropriate. Although the refinish and mechanical needs limit collector originality and functionality, this remains a handsome 7 1/2″ .45 Colt Model 1878 with a notably strong bore and considerable antique character. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY