Designed by William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff, Colt's factory manager and Superintendent of Engineering, the Model 1878 revolver was intended to be a double action alternative to Colt's legendary Single Action Army revolver. With 51,210 being produced, the 1878 was never nearly as popular as its single action cousin, however, there were still many that favored it in the west for its firepower, including Captain Jack Crawford, who replaced Buffalo Bill Cody as "Chief of Scouts" shortly after the Battle of Little Bighorn. This example was manufactured in 1880 and has the standard one-line address marked on top of the barrel, along with the caliber marking over an added, later production verified proof stamp on the left of the trigger guard (writer believes the gun was returned to the factory at a later date for unknown work). There is a blade front sight at the muzzle and a sighting groove in the top of the frame. It is fitted with a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts in ovals at the top of each panel, and there is a lanyard swivel on the butt.

Fine, retains 50% of the factory re-plated nickel with the balance having flaked to reveal a smooth grey patina and some scattered patches of light surface pitting. The grips are also fine with some scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically fine.