Standard model, with ejector, in barrel lengths between 4-1/2" and 6":
5B-183
| 5B-183 | Values—Very Good $425 | Exc. $1,600 |
Made for British market, with or without ejector. Usual COLT/HARTFORD barrel marks with addition DEPOT 14, PALL MALL LONDON and British proofmarks:
| 5B-184 | Values—Very Good $425 | Exc. $1,600 |
Made for The American Express Co. marked on backstrap AM. EX. CO. Quantity approx. 1,200, all of which are documented on Colt’s factory ledgers:
| 5B-185 | Values—Very Good $1,000 | Exc. $2,500 |
(Note: A premium placed on checkered rosewood grips, on pistols chambered for the rare 32 Colt caliber, and on long barrel lengths [7" to 10"].)
Colt Model 1878 “Frontier” D.A. Revolver
Model 1878 “Frontier” Double Action Revolver. Made 1878 -1905; the total production 51,210. Under serial number 41,000 (approx.) made prior to Dec. 31, 1898.
Standard calibers were 32-20, 38-40, 41 Colt, 44-40, and 45; also made but scarce (or rare) were 22 rimfire, 38 Colt, 44 Russian, 44 German Government, 44 S& W, and 450, 455, and 476 Eley. 6-shot cylinder. Barrel lengths standard of 4-3/4", 5-1/2", and 7-1/2" with ejector, and 3", 3-1/2" and 4" without ejector. However, lengths are know from as short as 2-1/2" and as long as 12".
Major share of the series had checkered hard rubber grips with oval rampant colt embossed motif; earlier revolvers had checkered and varnished walnut of two piece type. Blued finish standard; second in quantity was nickel plating. Serial numbering began with 1 and ran through to the highest number, 51210. Barrel address marking (in one or two lines): COLT’S PT.F.A.MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. No patent date stampings. Designations of caliber were on either the trigger guard or on the left side of the barrel.
The Frontier Double Action is one of the largest frame revolvers made by Colt’s. It is easily identified by the frame and grip profile (note solid construction, with the trigger guard removable), the thin loading gate, the two piece grips, and the cylinder which (like the Lightning Model 1877) does not swing out for loading. One reason for the popularity of the Model 1877 is the chambering for large calibers, and the similarities it has to the Single Action Army. Increasingly, collectors are finding the Model 1878 Frontier an attractive area in the Colt field.
Major variations are:
Standard model, without ejector, in barrel lengths of 3", 3-1/2", and 4", and in the five most common calibers; in collector terminology the “Sheriff’s Model”:
| 5B-186 | Values—Very Good $600 | Exc. $2,250 |
Standard model, with ejector, in barrel lengths of 4-3/4", 5-1/2", and 7-1/2". The Mexican government purchased 500 of these with 7 1/2-inch barrels in 45 caliber in 1890 through a dealer in Mexico City. Checkered hard rubber grips and marked on left frame with an oval, die-struck motif of a sunburst-like design and liberty cap in its center accompanied by smaller letters “R” and “M” respectively on either side of the sunburst. Very scarce; worth premium value.
5B-187 Standard Model
| 5B-187 | Values—Very Good $625 | Exc. $2,250 |
Made for British market, with or without ejector. Usual COLT/HARTFORD barrel marks with addition DEPOT 14, PALL MALL LONDON and British proofmarks:
| 5B-188 | Values—Very Good $500 | Exc. $1,650 |
Model 1902 “Alaskan” or “Philippine Constabulary Model” revolver, sold on contract to the U.S. Ordnance; extra-large trigger and trigger guard, U.S. inspector stampings, 6" barrel, 45 caliber, lanyard swivel on butt, and blued finish; total made about 4,600, in serial range 43,401 - 48,097 (a few reported in higher ranges).
Although commonly known among collectors as the “ALASKAN MODEL” and less commonly as the “PHILIPPINE CONSTABULARY MODEL,” it has been established that the only correct nomenclature is that with “PHILIPPINE” title. Also confirmed that the oversized trigger guard which distinguishes this variant will not allow for its use in cold weather (i.e. Alaska) while wearing gloves (as formerly believed) but rather, it allows for an elongated trigger in order to offer better leverage for double-action firing, necessitated by the stronger hammer spring added by special request of the U.S. Army c. 1901. (The misnomer clarified in Colt’s Double Action Revolver Model 1878 by Wilkerson (1998) and article by D. Chamberlain in Gun Report (Feb. 2002). Noted that a few observed with “W.C. Co.” markings on left frame, identified as those of the “Western Costume Co.” an early Hollywood theatrical/motion picture prop house and likely purchased as government surplus for use in early hollywood Westerns.
5B-189 Model 1902
| 5B-189 | Values—Very Good $900 | Exc. $3,000 |
(Note: A premium placed on barrel lengths other than the standard ones noted above.)
Colt Model 1889 Navy Double Action Revolver
Model 1889 Navy Double Action Revolver. In production 1889-94; the total made approximately 31,000.
38 Colt and 41 Colt calibers. 6-shot cylinder. Standard barrel lengths of 3", 4-1/2" and 6".
Checkered hard rubber grips with oval rampant colt embossed motif. Blued finish; nickel plating not uncommon. Serial numbered in its own series, beginning with 1 and up through approximately 31000. Barrel marking of Colt company name, Hartford address, and 1884 and 1888 patent dates. Caliber designations appear on the left side of the barrel.
The Model 1889 is quite important to collectors because it was the first swingout cylinder double action in the Colt line. Certain features allow for quick identification, among them: The 1884 and 1888 patent dates in the barrel marking and the long fluted cylinder having the locking slots at the back. The cylinders revolve counter-clockwise. The serial numbers are often confused with assembly numbers: The former are found stamped on the butt, while