Designed by William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff, Colt's factory manager and Superintendent of Engineering, the Model 1878 revolver was intended to be a double action alternative to Colt's legendary Single Action Army revolver. With 51,210 being produced, the 1878 was never nearly 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. This outstanding antique example has a factory letter which confirms the 4 3/4 inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, and hard rubber grips. The letter states the revolver was sold to Hartley & Graham of New York City and shipped on August 17, 1896 to Pogue, Miller & Co. of Richmond, Indiana. This was a 12 gun shipment. The barrel is marked "45 COLT" on the left side and has the two-line Colt Hartford address on top. The left side of the frame has an encircled Rampant Colt. The cylinder is numbered to the gun ("144"). Only 1,957 Model 1878s in this configuration (4 3/4 inch barrel in .45 caliber and blue finish) were manufactured per Don Wilkerson ("Colt's Double Action Revolver," page 213).

Excellent plus, retaining 97% plus bright original high polished blue finish with some mild thinning on the back strap. The grips are also excellent plus with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A stunning antique example of Colt's famed Model 1878 DA revolver!