This is a very scarce U.S. inspected Model 1878 that falls out of the accepted serial number range (43401-48097) of the Model 1902, is dated 1903, and features U.S. inspected parts. A few U.S. government shipped examples are reported in higher ranges as Don Wilkerson (this example was in his collection) notes in his included book "Colt's Double Action Revolver Model of 1878": "On December 26, 1903, Colt shipped a .45 caliber revolver, 6" barrel, blue finish and rubber stocks to the Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory. The serial number was in the 50000 range. This shipment of a single revolver to Springfield occurred exactly one year to the day after the last large shipments of Model 1902 revolvers. Almost nothing is know regarding this revolver or the fifty identical revolvers shipped a year later on December 23, 1904, except that each was fitted with a long trigger and oversized trigger guard common to Model 1902 revolvers....Who ordered the revolvers and why remains a mystery" (page 403). Another possibility is that this is a civilian revolver with overrun Model 1902 components. The left side of the frame has an encircled Rampant Colt as featured on commercially sold revolvers. The frame has the U.S. inspector initials "RAC" on the left side and "JEH" on the right side as well as the date "1903." The frame lacks a "US" marking. The underside of the barrel has a "P" proof as well as the letter "K." The rear cylinder face has "RAC" and is numbered to the gun ("0658"). The matching assembly number "25" is on the loading gate and grip frame. Provenance: The Don and Carol Wilkerson Collection

Very fine, retaining 85% bright original high polish blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The grips are also very fine with minimal handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.