Colt Model 1878 DA revolver manufactured c. 1881. This revolver has a very rare Colt American factory case (on page 334 of "The Book of Colt Firearms" author R.L Wilson notes: "American casings (for the Model 1878 DA) are almost never seen". The revolver has a nickel-plated finish with fire blue hammer top, trigger, cylinder pin and screws. The revolver has two-piece, black, checkered, hard rubber bird's head grips with the Rampant Colt trademark embossed in an oval near the top. The left side of the barrel is marked: "COLT. FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" in an acid etched panel. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in one line. "44 CF. is stamped on the left side of the front trigger guard bow. The serial number "6361" is stamped on the bottom of the butt. The partial serial number "361" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder between the chambers. The caliber designation "44" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel. The assembly number "32" is stamped on the back of the loading gate. The Colt mahogany case has two compartments for cartridge boxes and fittings to retain the revolver trigger guard and barrel. The bottom of the case is lined with crimson velvet, and the top is lined with red baize. A 1987 advertisement in "Gun Report" by Herb Glass describes this revolver in detail and states that the case lining: "is absolutely original and guaranteed to be so". The case contains two boxes of cartridges: one box is a Union Metallic Cartridge Co. carton of .44 WCF cartridges with a picture of a cartridge on the label. The other box is a carton of Winchester .45 Colt cartridges with a picture of a Colt Model 1878 DA revolver on the label. The case also contains a rare combination tool for a Model 1878 DA revolver. The tool consists of two screw-driver blades and a punch. The Glass advertisement describes the tool in detail.

Near new. This revolver retains 99% plus of the crisp original nickel-plated finish. The delicate, acid-etched "COLT. FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" marking on the left side of the barrel is perfect. The screws, hammer sides, trigger and cylinder pin have 98% of the delicate fire-blue finish. The black, hard rubber grips are also near new. The action functions perfectly. The case exterior is in very fine overall condition with a few inconsequential scratches and storage marks. The original case interior is in fine condition. The red baize lining in the top is clean and bright; wear is limited to several tiny holes. The lining on the case bottom is faded, has some compression marks from contact with the revolver and several small tears from contact with the hammer spur and front sight blade. The Winchester .44 W.C.F. cartridge box is full and in very fine condition with broken edges on the corners of the carton. The Winchester .45 Colt carton is also full and is in fine condition with fine label and breaks in the corners and sides. The unique Colt Model 1878 DA combination tool remains in very fine-excellent condition with about 85% of the fire blue finish remaining. This is a "time capsule" example of a Colt American factory cased Model 1878 Frontier Six Shooter revolver in near new condition.