Lot 3115

London Shipped Colt London 1878 Revolver with Factory Letter

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London Shipped Colt London 1878 Revolver with Factory Letter

Estimate: $2,250 - $3,500

Starting Bid: $1,900

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Excellent London Agency Shipped Antique Colt London Model 1878 Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter The accompanying factory letter states this revolver was shipped in January 15, 1885, to Colt's London Agency in London, England, in .45 caliber with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, and hard rubber grips, as part of 50 guns of the same type in the shipment. This is an excellent example of a Colt London Model 1878 revolver. Designed by William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff, the Model 1878 revolver was intended to be a double action alternative to Colt's legendary Single Action Army revolver. The top of the barrel is marked with the one-line Colt Pall Mall London address, and "45 CAL" is on the left of the trigger guard. London proofs are stamped on the bottom of the barrel and on the cylinder behind the flutes. It has a blade front sight, frame-top groove rear sight, a lanyard loop on the butt, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops. The full serial number is marked on the butt, matching partial "853" is on the rear of the cylinder, non-matching "797" is handwritten on the interiors of both grips, and assembly number "848" is marked on the loading gate and left of the grip frame.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1878

BBL: 5 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 45 Long Colt

Finish: nickel

Grips: hard rubber

Serial Number13853

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection
  • Condition: Excellent, retains 90% original nickel plating, 60% original niter blue finish on the small components, with some minor freckling, a patch of nickel plating off of the left side of the muzzle, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The grips are very fine, flush fitting, with a brown appearance, a few light handling marks, and distinct checkering. The trigger releases prematurely in single action; otherwise, mechanically functions.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000