Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the revolvers category.
01 / Overview
Colt M1878
Category
Country
Production
1878–1907
Quantity
51,210
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
REVOLVERS · PRE-WWI / INDUSTRIAL AGE
21
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the revolvers category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General3MOD.3
- First Production Year1878
- DesignerWilliam Mason
- Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre2MOD.2
- Cartridge.32-20 WCF, .38 Long Colt, .38-40 WCF, .41 Long Colt, .44-40 WCF, .455 Webley, .45 Colt, .476 Eley
- Calibre32 mm
◇Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
- Barrel Length190.5 mm
- Rifling Twist1:16 right-hand
- Rifling Grooves6
- Sight Typefixed notch and blade
- Iron SightsYes
◆Construction3MOD.3
- Overall Length279 mm
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialhard rubber, walnut
▤Production & Cost3MOD.3
- Production Start1878
- Production End1907
- Variants8
⬢Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
- Width41 mm
- Height140 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1878Production started
- 1885First deployment: North-West Rebellion
- 1902Sale: United States (4,600 units)
- 1907Production ended
148
years in service
29
years in production
51,210
units produced
0
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 5 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
COLT M1878 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win·100% loss
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
1
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries5country
Colt M1878SALES1records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1902 |  United States | 4,600 | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
06 / MASS Score
REVOLVERS RANKING Revolvers · Pre-WWI / Industrial Age
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
132REVOLVERS21PRE-WWI / INDUSTRIAL AGE · REVOLVERS1449UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS64PERFORMANCE/PRICE · REVOLVERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theRevolverscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
A rotating cylindrical chamber that holds multiple cartridges and aligns each with the barrel for firing, as used in revolver-type pistols.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
A revolver is a type of pistol with a rotating cylinder containing multiple chambers, typically 5 or 6, which are successively aligned with the barrel.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources