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 until 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, 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 featuresedit
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 Winchester, 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]
Variantsedit
The Model 1878 was available in .32-20, .38 Colt, .38-40, .41 Colt, .44-40, .45 Colt, .455 Webley, and .476 Eley. The most popular calibers were the .44-40 Winchester 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 were available from 2+1⁄2 to 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 during the Philippine–American War (1899–1902). These revolvers had 6-inch barrels, hard rubber grips, and were chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge. They also had strengthened mainsprings and lengthened the triggers to give the user more leverage, thus giving a more reliability and consistent trigger pull, this is the primary reason for the enlarged trigger guards. The strengthened mainspring was necessary to fire the .45 Colt Government rounds which had a less sensitive primer compared to the civilian .45 Colt ammunition. Many people have incorrectly assumed that this was to allow the revolver to be operated while wearing gloves in cold weather, that means that the "Alaskan Model" is a misnomer.[1]These revolvers are also unofficially designated the Colt 1902 Philippine Model (Colt M1902).[4]
Referencesedit
^ 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.[permanent dead link]
^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.
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May 02, 2024
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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 until 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 including 4 600 for the US Ordnance Department These are known as the Philippine or Alaskan models 1 Colt M1878TypeRevolverPlace of originUnited StatesProduction historyDesignerWilliam MasonDesigned1878Produced1878 1907SpecificationsCaliber 32 20 WCF 38 Long Colt 38 40 WCF 41 Long Colt 44 40 WCF 455 Webley 45 Colt 476 EleyActiondouble action revolverFeed system6 shot cylinder 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 Winchester 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 45 Colt 455 Webley and 476 Eley The most popular calibers were the 44 40 Winchester and 45 Colt nbsp Colt Model 1902 Philippine Standard grips were black checkered hard rubber but some early revolvers were produced with checkered walnut grips Barrel lengths were available from 2 1 2 to 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 during the Philippine American War 1899 1902 These revolvers had 6 inch barrels hard rubber grips and were chambered for the 45 Colt cartridge They also had strengthened mainsprings and lengthened the triggers to give the user more leverage thus giving a more reliability and consistent trigger pull this is the primary reason for the enlarged trigger guards The strengthened mainspring was necessary to fire the 45 Colt Government rounds which had a less sensitive primer compared to the civilian 45 Colt ammunition Many people have incorrectly assumed that this was to allow the revolver to be operated while wearing gloves in cold weather that means that the Alaskan Model is a misnomer 1 These revolvers are also unofficially designated the Colt 1902 Philippine Model Colt M1902 4 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 permanent dead link 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 McCollum I 2017 January 26 Colt 1902 philippine model Forgotten Weapons Your destination for rare exotic and prototype firearms https www forgottenweapons com colt 1902 philippine model External links edit nbsp 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 1174856484, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
