The Model 1878 was Colt’s first large frame double action revolver and, until recently, has been overshadowed by its legendary cousin, the Single Action Army. In the words of famed SAA expert and author John Kopec, “The Colt Model 1878 Double Action Army revolver has always held a more or less secondary place in the Colt collecting field. That is until now!” In recent years the Model 1878 has become increasingly popular with collectors who are rediscovering its legacy in Colt heritage and in U.S. history in general. Just like the SAA, the Model 1878 shaped American history out on the western frontier. The Model 1878 was used by settlers, lawmen and outlaws during America’s push to the West Coast. Its association with the Wild West alone has made the Model 1878 a very collectible American handgun. The Model 1878 has also found a special place with military collectors. The U.S. Ordnance Department purchased 4,600 Model 1878s known as the Philippine or Alaskan models, which saw action during the Philippine-American War and Moro Rebellion. Offered here is one of less than 200 ”Omnipotent” marked Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolvers. The story of the Omnipotent marked Model 1878 is retold in Don Wilkerson’s seminal work “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver, Model of 1878,” and Wilkerson referred to these handguns as “among the most sought after revolvers by collectors today” (page 233). These incredibly rare revolvers feature an acid etched “OMNIPOTENT” panel on the left side of the barrel, just as featured on this example, and most “Omnipotent” marked Model 1878s were shipped to B. Kittredge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Benjamin Kittredge is extremely important to the Colt legacy. In the 1870s and 1880s, Kittredge dominated the Colt retailer market. He is credited for coming up with at least nine Colt model trade names that included the now legendary names “Peacemaker” for the Single Action Army Revolver and “Lightning” and “Thunderer” for the .38 caliber and .41 caliber Model 1877 respectively. “Omnipotent” was Kittredge’s trade name for the Model 1878, and he had this name etched on the left side of the barrel. A very limited number of these revolvers were shipped to other dealers such as Hartley & Graham. These revolvers came finished in blue or nickel with at least one nickel plated gun having a gold plated cylinder, grips varied from the standard hard rubber to more costly special order material like pearl, a few were even engraved, and in general they had 7 ½ inch barrels and were chambered in .45 caliber. Based on Wilkerson’s reading of the available factory records, “A total of 174 revolvers were shipped to Kittredge between the first Omnipotent marked invoice on August 6, 1878, and the last Omnipotent marked invoice on Mary 13, 1882. The author tends to think all of these revolvers were probably etched with the Omnipotent marking. If we count only those revolvers listed as Omnipotent in the records (the only revolvers that will definitely letter as Omnipotent) we have only 154 revolvers” (page 236). “Omnipotent” is defined by Merriam-Webster as “having complete or unlimited power,” often associated with deities. It is a name that truly fits the Model 1878 in powerful .45 caliber. Unfortunately, the “Omnipotent” trade name did not catch on like Peacemaker did for the SAA. The accompanying factory letter for this first year production, three digit serial number Model 1878 states that it was shipped on August 17, 1878 to B. Kittredge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, with a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, and type of stocks not listed. This was a five gun shipment. The factory letter goes on to list the serial numbers of the four other guns in the shipment and confirms, "Records also use the word 'Omipotents' in describing the above gun." As stated, the left side of the barrel has the incredibly rare “OMNIPOTENT” acid etched panel. The top of the barrel is stamped with the one-line Hartford address. “45 CAL” is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard. The full serial number appears on the butt ahead of the lanyard loop, loading gate, and rear cylinder face with the individual numbers stamped between the chambers. Besides the matching serial number, the rear cylinder face is also stamped with a factory “P” inspection mark. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Very good overall with traces of original finish in the protected areas, otherwise brown patina on the balance, very faint acid etched panel, mostly crisp grip checkering. The revolver functions in double action, but it does not function in single action due to an absent full-cock notch. An incredibly rare "Omnipotent" acid etched Colt Model 1878 revolver missing from even the most advanced collections.