This revolver was manufactured in 1885 and has a full high polish blue finish along with from the niter blue trigger, small parts, and hammer (polished sides). It has blade and frame groove sights, "COLTS PT FA MFG Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. DEPOT 14 PALL MALL LONDON" on the top of the barrel, "476 CAL" on the front left of the trigger guard, checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colt emblem at the top, and a lanyard loop on the butt. There are small English proof marks on the bottom of the barrel at the breech and behind each of the cylinder flutes. A "3" and "M" are stamped in the hammer slot. "558" is marked on the rear cylinder face and "34" is on the loading gate. The serial number is marked on the butt, and the grips have the matching partial serial number "06" on the undersides. The vast majority of the 51,210 Model 1878 revolvers produced were chambered for .32-20, .38-40, .41 Colt, .44-40, or .45 Colt. Only a very limited number were chambered in the few other calibers offered including .476 Eley. Also known as the Enfield Mark III Ball cartridge, the .476 was introduced in 1881 due to concerns regarding the Mark II .455 caliber round properly engaging the rifling of the Enfield revolver and sealing the bore. It was phased out in 1887 but continued to be produced at the Woolrich Arsenal until March 1893 and the Dum Dum ammunition factory in India until 1918. The first .476 Model 1878 revolver was shipped to the London Agency on June 26, 1884 according to the late Don Wilkerson, in "Colt's Double-Action Revolver: Model of 1878" and the last was shipped on October 24, 1898. Wilkerson's research found that only 1,682 revolvers were shipped in this caliber, barrel length, and finish and only 2,458 were shipped in this caliber. The revolver comes in a fitted hardwood London retailer case with a cartridge block containing 8 empty cases and 12 complete cartridges, an oiler, and a screw driver.

Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains nearly 90% of the bright original high polish blue finish and very strong niter blue finish on the hammer and trigger. There is some brown patina in certain areas on the balance. Issues with the flaking of Colt's bluing and nickel plating are well recorded in letters between the London Agency and the Colt factory from the period. The sides of the hammer remain bright. The grips are very good with crisp checkering and only minor handling marks. The action is fine, and the markings are crisp. The case is very good with mild storage wear. This is an extremely high condition Colt Model 1878 Frontier revolver chambered for the rarely seen .476 Eley cartridge.