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. Manufactured in 1888, this example features factory engraving primarily in the Gustave Young style of punch-dot backed scroll designs and zig-zag line borders covering the top and sides of the barrel, the cylinder between the flutes, and virtually all of the frame, along with starburst patterns scattered throughout. The left side of the frame warrants specific note, as it features an attractive eight-pointed star, while the right side has spiral of scrollwork. The writer believes the engraving to be the work of Gustave Young himself. This specific revolver is pictured at the top of p. 211 in "The William M. Locke Collection" by Frank Sellers. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration including the 4 inch "sheriff's" length barrel and the factory engraving (grips not listed), as well as shipment to Hartley & Graham in New York on 16 April 1888 as a one gun shipment. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address surrounded with zig-zag borders and scrollwork. The full serial number is marked on the butt and the matching partial serial number, "149", is on the rear face of the cylinder. It is fitted with a blade front sight, frame top groove rear sight, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops. Provenance: The William M. Locke Collection; Property of a Gentleman