^Lot 3386 ANTIQUE COLT MODEL 1878 FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER

DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER. Cal. 44-40. S# 27178. Bbl. 4 3/4". Model 1878 Frontier Six Shooter double action revolver mfg. by Colt in 1890 (note: this example appears to have been one of the last 1878s produced in 1890, as 1891 production starts at S# 27200). Left side of the bbl. is marked "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER", with Colt's 2-line address marked across the top. Left side of the frame is marked with the encircled Rampant Colt logo. Left side of the forward trigger guard web is marked "44 CAL". Metal components exhibit a blue finish overall, save for on the sides of the hammer, which are polished in-the-white. Trigger exhibits a nitre blue finish. Metal components exhibit areas of formerly applied varnish. Frame is mounted with 2-piece Colt checkered hard rubber grips, and features a lanyard swivel and ring on the butt. Left panel is brown, right panel is black. Standard blade front sight and frame notched rear sight. Matching assembly # "177" is present on the frame and loading gate. Grips and cyl. are unnumbered. CONDITION: metal components retain large amounts of their original factory blue finish, showing areas of wear and thinning that are fading to gray patina, as well as some scattered spots and small patches of light surface oxidation, with areas of varnish remaining overall. Very bright bore, exhibiting a consistent scattering of light to mild pitting, while retaining well defined rifling throughout. Sides of hammer show scattered spots of age related discoloration. Trigger has faded to a gray patina in contact areas. Proper manual mechanics, with some cyl. play. Grips show mild smoothing and some superficial handling marks, but otherwise remain sound. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Norm Greenberg Collection. (01-27686/MLW). ANTIQUE. $1,200-1,800.