The lumber boom in Michigan’s Gladwin County, west of Saginaw Bay, created a frontier of lumber camps and small towns from 1875 to the 1890s, the same time as those further wests in the Black Hills and the southwest. This Colt 1878 “Frontier” revolver was found in the township of Grim, one of several picturesquely named spots like “Podunk” and “Hard Luck,” that are now gone or ghost towns like the mining camps of Nevada and Colorado.

Colt’s 1878 Frontier model was double action and one of company’s largest frame revolvers. Marketed from 1878 to 1905, the heyday of Gladwin County, the revolver came in a number of different barrel lengths and was available in large calibers, including .44-40 and .45, which made it a rival to the 1877 Lightning.

This revolver has been kept just as found, coated with a thick layer of rust and dirt that should not be removed, a real relic of the risks and dangers of frontier life. All the parts are present and, ironically, the checkered hard-rubber grips are in the best shape, showing just some discoloration from being in the ground, but a very evident raised oval cartouche with Colt’s rampant-colt trademark.

The only missing element is the lanyard swivel, though the mounting ring on the butt is still there. The loading gate is frozen open, making it clear this gun was lost while in use, perhaps while the owner fumbled to load another round or two before his opponent could. From the evidence, it seems he was a little slow.  [sr]

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