This article is about the Colt Model 1878. For other Colt Double Action firearms, see Colt Double Action.
"Colt Frontier" redirects here. For the .44 caliber version of the Single Action Army Revolver, see Colt Frontier Six-Shooter.
The Colt M1878 is a double-actionrevolver that was manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company from 1878 to 1907. It is often referred to as the "Frontier" or the "Double Action Army" revolver. A total of 51,210 Model 1878 revolvers were manufactured from 1878 to 1907, including 4,600 for the US Ordnance Department. These are known as the "Philippine" or "Alaskan" models.[1]
Samuel Colt experimented with double-action revolver systems, but he considered them to be unreliable. After Colt's patent expired in 1857, other manufacturers began producing double-action revolvers, but Colt's Manufacturing did not manufacture its own double-action revolver until 1877, twenty years after the patent had expired.[2]
The M1878 was designed by William Mason, Colt's factory manager and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards, Superintendent of Engineering. It was similar in design to the Colt Model 1877. The Model 1878 had a larger frame, and is therefore sometimes referred to as the "large frame" double-action revolver, while the Model 1877 is likewise referred to as the "small frame" double-action revolver. The Model 1878 was considered a more robust and reliable design than the Model 1877.
Design and features
The design of the Model 1878 was based on the Model 1877, which in turn was based heavily on the design of the earlier Colt Single Action Army revolver. A strut is added to connect the trigger movement to the hammer. The top of the trigger slips beyond the strut so that the hammer will stay in full cock if it is pulled back manually.[3]
The Model 1878 had a larger frame than the Model 1877, which allowed it to fire larger and more powerful cartridges such as the .45 Colt and .44-40, and used the same barrel & ejector parts as the Single Action Army revolver and a very similar cylinder. At one time, the factory modified Model 1878 cylinders for use in single-action revolvers in an attempt to use up spare parts.[3]
Variants
The Model 1878 was available in .32-20, .38 Colt, .38-40, .41 Colt, .44-40, .455 Webley, .45 Colt, and .476 Eley. The most popular calibers were .44-40 and .45 Colt.
Colt Model 1902 "Philippine"
Standard grips were black checkered hard rubber but some early revolvers were produced with checkered walnut grips. Barrel lengths available were 3, 3-1/2, 4, 4-3/4, 5-1/2, and 7-1/2 inches.[1] Revolvers with 4-inch and shorter barrels did not have an ejector.[1]
In 1902, 4,600 Model 1878 revolvers were produced for a U.S. Army contract. They were intended to equip the Philippine Constabulary under Brigadier GeneralHenry T. Allen in the Philippine Insurrection. These revolvers had 6-inch barrels, hard rubber grips, and were chambered for the .45 Colt round. They had strengthened mainsprings and longer triggers to give the user more leverage, resulting in larger trigger guards. The strengthened mainspring was necessary to fire the .45 Government rounds which had a less sensitive primer compared to the civilian .45 LC ammunition. Many people have incorrectly assumed that this was to allow the revolver to be operated while wearing gloves, so "Alaskan Model" is a misnomer.[1] These revolvers are unofficially designated the Model 1902 (M1902).
References
^ abcdFlayderman, Norm (3 December 2007). Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 109–110. ISBN978-1-4402-2651-9.
^Boorman, Dean K. (2004). Guns of the Old West: An Illustrated History. Globe Pequot Press. pp. 34–35. ISBN978-1-59228-638-6.
^ abChicoine, David (28 September 2005). Antique Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: The Comprehensive Guide to Pistols, Rifles & Shotguns. Iola, wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 76–77. ISBN0-87349-767-8.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Colt M1878.
January 07, 2023
colt, m1878, this, article, about, colt, model, 1878, other, colt, double, action, firearms, colt, double, action, colt, frontier, redirects, here, caliber, version, single, action, army, revolver, colt, frontier, shooter, double, action, revolver, that, manuf. This article is about the Colt Model 1878 For other Colt Double Action firearms see Colt Double Action Colt Frontier redirects here For the 44 caliber version of the Single Action Army Revolver see Colt Frontier Six Shooter The Colt M1878 is a double action revolver that was manufactured by Colt s Manufacturing Company from 1878 to 1907 It is often referred to as the Frontier or the Double Action Army revolver A total of 51 210 Model 1878 revolvers were manufactured from 1878 to 1907 including 4 600 for the US Ordnance Department These are known as the Philippine or Alaskan models 1 Colt M1878Colt M1878TypeRevolverPlace of originUnited StatesProduction historyDesignerWilliam MasonSpecificationsCaliber 32 20 WCF 38 Colt 38 40 WCF 41 Colt 44 40 WCF 455 Webley 45 Colt 476 EleyActiondouble action revolverFeed systemCylinder Contents 1 History 2 Design and features 3 Variants 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditSamuel Colt experimented with double action revolver systems but he considered them to be unreliable After Colt s patent expired in 1857 other manufacturers began producing double action revolvers but Colt s Manufacturing did not manufacture its own double action revolver until 1877 twenty years after the patent had expired 2 The M1878 was designed by William Mason Colt s factory manager and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards Superintendent of Engineering It was similar in design to the Colt Model 1877 The Model 1878 had a larger frame and is therefore sometimes referred to as the large frame double action revolver while the Model 1877 is likewise referred to as the small frame double action revolver The Model 1878 was considered a more robust and reliable design than the Model 1877 Design and features EditThe design of the Model 1878 was based on the Model 1877 which in turn was based heavily on the design of the earlier Colt Single Action Army revolver A strut is added to connect the trigger movement to the hammer The top of the trigger slips beyond the strut so that the hammer will stay in full cock if it is pulled back manually 3 The Model 1878 had a larger frame than the Model 1877 which allowed it to fire larger and more powerful cartridges such as the 45 Colt and 44 40 and used the same barrel amp ejector parts as the Single Action Army revolver and a very similar cylinder At one time the factory modified Model 1878 cylinders for use in single action revolvers in an attempt to use up spare parts 3 Variants EditThe Model 1878 was available in 32 20 38 Colt 38 40 41 Colt 44 40 455 Webley 45 Colt and 476 Eley The most popular calibers were 44 40 and 45 Colt Colt Model 1902 Philippine Standard grips were black checkered hard rubber but some early revolvers were produced with checkered walnut grips Barrel lengths available were 3 3 1 2 4 4 3 4 5 1 2 and 7 1 2 inches 1 Revolvers with 4 inch and shorter barrels did not have an ejector 1 In 1902 4 600 Model 1878 revolvers were produced for a U S Army contract They were intended to equip the Philippine Constabulary under Brigadier General Henry T Allen in the Philippine Insurrection These revolvers had 6 inch barrels hard rubber grips and were chambered for the 45 Colt round They had strengthened mainsprings and longer triggers to give the user more leverage resulting in larger trigger guards The strengthened mainspring was necessary to fire the 45 Government rounds which had a less sensitive primer compared to the civilian 45 LC ammunition Many people have incorrectly assumed that this was to allow the revolver to be operated while wearing gloves so Alaskan Model is a misnomer 1 These revolvers are unofficially designated the Model 1902 M1902 References Edit a b c d Flayderman Norm 3 December 2007 Flayderman s Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values Iola Wisconsin Gun Digest Books pp 109 110 ISBN 978 1 4402 2651 9 Boorman Dean K 2004 Guns of the Old West An Illustrated History Globe Pequot Press pp 34 35 ISBN 978 1 59228 638 6 a b Chicoine David 28 September 2005 Antique Firearms Assembly Disassembly The Comprehensive Guide to Pistols Rifles amp Shotguns Iola wisconsin Krause Publications pp 76 77 ISBN 0 87349 767 8 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Colt M1878 The Colt Revolver in the American West Double Action Frontier Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Colt M1878 amp oldid 1099402450, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
