Manufactured in 1892, this revolver displays a highly attractive and unusual set of decoration with much of the surface covered with fine silver overlaid in the koftgari style. Chiefly associated with Indo-Persian weaponry, koftgari begins with a shallow cross-hatching of the steel to be decorated. The patterns in the silver are formed by hammering thin sheets and wires of the metal into the cross-hatching, which binds the silver on the surface. Needless to say, this is not an embellishment style typically seen on an American firearm and gives this Model 1878 a very distinctive appearance. Fitted with blade and groove sights with the one-line address and "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" on the barrel, fine silver panel scrollwork with wire borders on over 70% of the surface, reaching 95%+ on the frame sides and including tricky areas like the loading groove. The fine Colt high-polish blue finish shows through on the unadorned parts with niter blue on the hammer and trigger. The grips are a pair of silver panels with wooden cores for stability decorated with a combination of an engraved scroll and vine work with a textured background and selectively aged accents and geometric patterns.

Very fine as period decorated showing 90% plus silver. Areas of well aged brown are visible on the steel with some bright wear and scattered handling marks. Silver loss is visible on the edges as well as around the face of the cylinder and breech of the barrel. This wear suggests that the revolver was an actual working firearm and not just a display piece, and also provides a fine view of the base preparation for the silver work. Grips are very good with some minor dings and scratches showing a fine aged color and sharp decoration. Mechanically functions, but needs work as it does not lock up tight.