The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as shipped in a single gun shipment on August 30, 1886, to Schoverling, Daly & Gales in New York City, and confirms its current configuration with the extremely rare 12 inch barrel in .45 caliber, nickel finish, and hard rubber stocks. This 12 inch "Buntline" barreled Model 1878 revolver is a true rarity in Colt collecting. It is reportedly the only example known to have been factory made in this configuration, as shipped in .45 Long Colt caliber with a 12 inch barrel length and nickel finish, according to figures on page 213 of Don Wilkerson's book "Colt's Double-Action Revolver, Model of 1878" (published 1998). This exact revolver is featured on page 47 of Wilkerson's aforementioned book, in which the picture caption indicates there is only one other 12 inch barreled example known to have been made, differing in being chambered in .38-40 with blue finish. This exact revolver is also featured on page 209 of "The William M. Locke Collection" book. Both publications mention the special features of this revolver including the 12 inch barrel, and notably that it has special provisions in the grip straps for a shoulder stock and the special rear sight. Designed by William Mason, Colt's factory manager, and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards, Superintendent of Engineering, the Model 1878 revolver was intended to be a double action alternative to Colt's legendary Single Action Army revolver. The Model 1878 was not considered to be 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. The top of the barrel is marked with the one-line Hartford address, and "45 CAL" on the left of the trigger guard. Full serial number "17475" marked on the butt, with assembly number "176" on the loading gate, and a "1" and an "L" on the rear face of the cylinder. It is fitted with a blade front sight, the noted special rear sight, and a lanyard swivel on the butt. Provenance: The William M. Locke Collection; The Charles Schreiner III Collection; The Charles Marx Collection