Large Frame Colt Model 1878 Double Action Frontier revolver in classic .45 Colt caliber. This 4 ¾” barrel revolver with serial number 36600 was manufactured in 1897 which qualifies it as an antique and may be purchased without a Federal Firearms License. The 1878 Frontier was Colt’s first large frame double action revolver that could be fired by simply pulling the trigger which in turn rotated the cylinder, cocked and released the hammer for fast shooting. It could also be slow fired by manually cocking the hammer for more aimed, deliberate shooting. It still functioned like the famed Single Action Army with regard to loading through a loading gate on the right side of the frame and having a fixed ejector attached to the barrel. These powerful revolvers found great favor with lawmen and outlaws alike. Cowboys and others needing a powerful handgun also frequently bought this Colt model. Like the early Single Action Army revolvers, those manufactured in the antique period typically saw hard frontier service which makes fine examples difficult to find. Often they retain no finish or have been re-finished, have had alterations made to the barrel or front sight, or simply are in poor condition. This example appears unaltered and displays a lovely aged blue finish with deeper blue in all the protected areas- in the flutes of the cylinder, the protected top and bottom of the ejector housing, portions of the frame around the cylinder and on the barrel top. This revolver also has the correct two-line barrel address on the barrel top which was only used on barrels shorter than the standard 5 ½” and 7 ½” lengths. Many feel the 4 ¾” barrel length was the best balanced and most attractive. The frame retans the small Rampant Colt stamping on the left side just above the grip. The left side of the barrel is also correctly and clearly caliber stamped “45 COLT.” The action works in both double action and single action, and the bore shows good rifling throughout. The correct Colt hard rubber grips with Rampant Colt emblem and checkering are in fine condition with a small section missing and the butt of the frame retains the original lanyard swivel- these often missing or removed. This example shows a desirable uncleaned appearance and exudes an authentic Old West heritage. This very fine revolver recently turned up Arizona. Serial Number: 36600. This firearm qualifies as an Antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.