Colt 1902 DA Revolver Question

[BAM-BAM]

Had an "armed contractor in my home" today ( hope this doesn't get locked).

He brought a nice Colt Model 1902 double action .45 revolver for me to see.

Using the SCS&W (page 52)...not my thing but I'd give it a 'Very Good" rating (compares to Model 3 (?) top left page 52). Round butt, 6" barrel and "US" marked on the frame. Sometimes referred to as an Alaskan or Philippine Model...... without basis I've found......for the Alaskan as it wasn't made to use with gloves..... but was made to send to the Philippines.

bore dirty....... springs/action seemed good to OK......lockup good.

Anyone have any ideas about the market for one of these and value. Not for sale...... family heirloom as I understand..........

Doing some research for him ( a budding collector) but any thoughts input welcome.........

forgot to get pics.......... google "colt model 1902 revolver" for pics ....

 

[Wyatt Burp]

They'll pop up at gun sites if he search "1878 Colt" and you can see what people are asking. All I know is, that variation of the '78 has been going UP in the last few years, but what hasn't.

 

[Texas Star]

I know what they look like, but if only for the Philippines, why the huge trigger guard?

BTW, Webley had an Army Express revolver that competed with the 1878 Colt DA Frontier. I hope its action was more durable. There is quite a bit of external similarity between these brands and those models.

 

[desi2358]

I know what they look like, but if only for the Philippines, why the huge trigger guard?

BTW, Webley had an Army Express revolver that competed with the 1878 Colt DA Frontier. I hope its action was more durable. There is quite a bit of external similarity between these brands and those models.

The military originally tested standard 1878 revolvers. Some sources report that the military wanted a stronger main spring after tests revealed too many misfires with military ammo. The stronger spring increased the pull weight and some people had trouble in double action. The longer trigger gave better leverage and, if need be, allowed use of two fingers to fire the gun. Since one of the intended users was the Philippine Constabulary, with many smaller statured individuals, this would seem reasonable.

 

[Texas Star]

The military originally tested standard 1878 revolvers. Some sources report that the military wanted a stronger main spring after tests revealed too many misfires with military ammo. The stronger spring increased the pull weight and some people had trouble in double action. The longer trigger gave better leverage and, if need be, allowed use of two fingers to fire the gun. Since one of the intended users was the Philippine Constabulary, with many smaller statured individuals, this would seem reasonable.

Makes sense, but should a gun like that be issued at all?

 

[BearBio]

Makes sense, but should a gun like that be issued at all?

It was emergency measure. The "official" cartridge was the VERY anemic 38 Long Colt. At the same time, the Army was renovating old SAA's into the "Artillery Models". If I remember, the trigger guard on the parent 1878 was a separate piece, so it was a relatively easy modification to change the trigger, mainspring and trigger guard (as well as caliber). Shortly after the 1909 Colts were developed (original New Service, followed by the 1917's), The 45 Colt was a big improvement on putting down the doped up Moro tribesmen of the So Philippines.

I have never understood the low prices put on the 1902's as only ~4900 were made.

 

[policerevolvercollector]

These typically sell in the $1200-$1400 range depending upon condition.

Here's a pic:


The top revolver is a standard 1878 in .44-40 issued by Atlanta PD.

The lower is the Philippine Constabulary gun in .45 Colt. When these were phased out of service, a lot of them were sold as surplus to the Western Costume Co. in Hollywood and used in the movies in the silent and early sound film era. They look enough like a Single Action Army (at a distance!) to pass for one and it eliminated the need to teach actors & extras how to operate a single action. Mine has the proper military markings as well as "Western" stamped on the frame.

 

[BamaBino]

The lower is the Philippine Constabulary gun in .45 Colt. When these were phased out of service, a lot of them were sold as surplus to the Western Costume Co. in Hollywood and used in the movies in the silent and early sound film era. They look enough like a Single Action Army (at a distance!) to pass for one and it eliminated the need to teach actors & extras how to operate a single action. Mine has the proper military markings as well as "Western" stamped on the frame.

I have read that before in a book. But why do they think it was a costume company instead of Western Cartridge company "W.C. Co" that was a big ammo company that later merged with Winchester?

Western would have firearms of many different makes/models for testing their ammo. And marked them with W.C.Co. to keep them from walking off.

Cartridge with W.C. Co. made by Western.