This is a very intriguing Colt Model 1878 revolver with U.S. contract and Rinaldo A. Carr inspection markings, possibly making it the earliest known Model 1878 to bear such markings. While at least two Model 1878 revolvers were sent Colonel James G. Benton at Springfield Armory for inspection and possible recommendation for military use, these two revolvers are documented as shipped to the armory in August and September of 1878. Following inspection and trial, Colonel Benton did not see the 1878 as a significant enough improvement over the currently issued revolvers to warrant adoption, leading to no known U.S. military contracts until the small contract of Model 1878/1902 revolvers for the Philippine Constabulary in 1902. After the 1902, commercial examples using inspected contract overrun parts are known to exist, an example of which is pictured on p. 399 of "Colt's Double-Action Revolver Model of 1878" by Wilkerson. The included factory letter with this revolver confirms the current configuration as well as sale to E.C. Meacham Arms Co. in St. Louis and shipment to Russell Garrison on 5 March 1897 in a single gun shipment, with the date of manufactured listed as "unavailable". Given the shipment (and likely manufacture) date of this revolver, it is unlikely that it's in any way related to the two revolvers sent to Springfield Armory, especially given that Carr is not listed as an inspector until 1889, and being shipped approximately six years before the Philippine Constabulary contract revolvers and lacking the features of that contract, it leaves one wondering how this revolver came to be. One possible explanation for this revolver is a private purchase by a U.S. military officer. In Wilkerson's "Colt's Double-Action Revolver Model of 1878", he lists many private purchases of the Model 1878 by U.S. military officers, though no government inspector's or U.S. markings are mentioned in such cases. It is possible that the "Russell Garrison" referred to in the factory letter for this revolver is actually the garrison of troops at Fort D.A. Russell in Wyoming, which housed three black regiments, referred to as "Buffalo Soldiers" at the time, including the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, as well as the 24th Infantry Regiment. The writer believes this to be the most likely explanation for this uniquely inspected revolver. The revolver itself has standard commercial pattern markings with matching serial and assembly numbers in correct locations. The right side of the frame has the "U.S." property marking and "R.A.C." Rinaldo A. Carr inspection markings are on all primary components. It has standard commercial pattern features including standard sized trigger guard (non-Philippine/"Alaskan").

Fine, retains 80% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having mostly thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily in the form of holster and handling type wear. The markings, including the inspector's marks, remain crisp, with a couple of the "R.A.C." marks appearing very slightly double stamped. The grips are also fine showing an attractively aged chocolate tone, a few light handling marks, and mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very scarce, U.S. inspected Colt Model 1878 revolver that may be the only one of its kind!