Recently acquired an interesting piece from a friend in Salmon, ID before we relocated to WI.
Some called it the "Alaskan" model due to oversized trigger and trigger guard, but this is not correct.
Here is some info I found that will give more detail:
A rare Colt M1902 Philippine model revolver that was manufactured upon request of the U.S. Army during the Philippine-American War and Moro Rebellion. One of only 4,600 produced! A stronger mainspring was installed to ensure the hammer had enough force to fire the .45 Long Colt government ammunition which was less sensitive than the ammunition on the civilian market. The smaller Model 1878 trigger and trigger guard were replaced with larger versions to help compensate for the resulting stiffer trigger pull. These revolvers also have a lanyard loop on the butt. This example has standard factory sights, markings, and grips; "U.S.," John T. Thompson's "JTT" inspector stamp, "U.S.", and "1902" on the right side of the frame; and Rinaldo A. Carr's "R.A.C." stamp on the rear face of the cylinder, left side of the frame at the hump, and on the left side of the trigger guard.
More information:
In 1902, 4,600 Model 1878 revolvers were produced for a U.S. Army contract. They were intended to equip the Philippine Constabulary under Brigadier General Henry T. Allen during the Philippine–American War (1899–1902). These revolvers had 6-inch barrels, hard rubber grips, and were chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge. They also had strengthened mainsprings and lengthened the triggers to give the user more leverage, thus giving a more reliability and consistent trigger pull, this is the primary reason for the enlarged trigger guards. The strengthened mainspring was necessary to fire the .45 Colt Government rounds which had a less sensitive primer compared to the civilian .45 Colt ammunition. Many people have incorrectly assumed that this was to allow the revolver to be operated while wearing gloves in cold weather, that means that the "Alaskan Model" is a misnomer. These revolvers are also unofficially designated the Colt 1902 Philippine Model (Colt M1902).
Some called it the "Alaskan" model due to oversized trigger and trigger guard, but this is not correct.
Here is some info I found that will give more detail:
A rare Colt M1902 Philippine model revolver that was manufactured upon request of the U.S. Army during the Philippine-American War and Moro Rebellion. One of only 4,600 produced! A stronger mainspring was installed to ensure the hammer had enough force to fire the .45 Long Colt government ammunition which was less sensitive than the ammunition on the civilian market. The smaller Model 1878 trigger and trigger guard were replaced with larger versions to help compensate for the resulting stiffer trigger pull. These revolvers also have a lanyard loop on the butt. This example has standard factory sights, markings, and grips; "U.S.," John T. Thompson's "JTT" inspector stamp, "U.S.", and "1902" on the right side of the frame; and Rinaldo A. Carr's "R.A.C." stamp on the rear face of the cylinder, left side of the frame at the hump, and on the left side of the trigger guard.
More information:
In 1902, 4,600 Model 1878 revolvers were produced for a U.S. Army contract. They were intended to equip the Philippine Constabulary under Brigadier General Henry T. Allen during the Philippine–American War (1899–1902). These revolvers had 6-inch barrels, hard rubber grips, and were chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge. They also had strengthened mainsprings and lengthened the triggers to give the user more leverage, thus giving a more reliability and consistent trigger pull, this is the primary reason for the enlarged trigger guards. The strengthened mainspring was necessary to fire the .45 Colt Government rounds which had a less sensitive primer compared to the civilian .45 Colt ammunition. Many people have incorrectly assumed that this was to allow the revolver to be operated while wearing gloves in cold weather, that means that the "Alaskan Model" is a misnomer. These revolvers are also unofficially designated the Colt 1902 Philippine Model (Colt M1902).
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