Colt M1878

Lore & Background

Samuel Colt experimented with double-action revolver systems but considered them unreliable. After his patent expired in 1857, other manufacturers began producing double-action revolvers, but Colt's Manufacturing did not produce its own until 1877. 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 but had a larger frame, allowing it to fire larger and more powerful cartridges such as the .45 Colt and .44-40 Winchester. The Model 1878 was considered more robust and reliable than the Model 1877.

The design was based on the Model 1877, which in turn was heavily based on the earlier Colt Single Action Army revolver. A strut was added to connect the trigger movement to the hammer; the top of the trigger slips beyond the strut so that the hammer will stay at full cock if pulled back manually. The Model 1878 used the same barrel and 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 to use up spare parts.

Standard grips were black checkered hard rubber, though some early revolvers had checkered walnut grips. Barrel lengths varied, and revolvers with 4-inch and shorter barrels did not have an ejector. In 1902, 4,600 Model 1878 revolvers were produced for a U.S. Army contract to equip the Philippine Constabulary during the Philippine–American War. These had 6-inch barrels, hard rubber grips, were chambered for .45 Colt, and featured strengthened mainsprings and lengthened triggers for more reliable trigger pull, which required enlarged trigger guards. The strengthened mainspring was necessary to fire .45 Colt Government rounds with less sensitive primers. These are unofficially designated the Colt 1902 Philippine Model.

Reader's Guide

The Colt M1878 holds significance as Colt's second double-action revolver, following the Model 1877, and as a larger-frame design that could handle more powerful cartridges. Its production run from 1878 to 1907 saw 51,210 units made, with 4,600 specifically produced for the U.S. Ordnance Department. These military-contract revolvers, often called the 'Philippine' or 'Alaskan' models, were adapted for use in the Philippine–American War with strengthened mainsprings and lengthened triggers to ensure reliable ignition of military .45 Colt ammunition. The Model 1878 was available in a wide range of calibers, including .44-40 Winchester and .45 Colt, which were the most popular. Its legacy includes being a robust and reliable alternative to the earlier Model 1877, and its design elements—such as the shared parts with the Single Action Army—reflect Colt's manufacturing practices of the era. The 'Alaskan Model' label is considered a misnomer, as the modifications were for primer sensitivity, not cold-weather use.

Did You Know?

• The Colt M1878 is sometimes called the 'Frontier' or 'Double Action Army' revolver.
• The Model 1878 was designed by William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards.