Handguns: Standard issue in Canada's 1885 NW Rebellion

[GrantRCanada]

When the 1885 North West Rebellion broke out. Canada had not acquired any military-issue handguns since 800 Colt 1851 London Model percussion revolvers were purchased through the British War Department in 1855/56. Of course, such of those as remained serviceable were nevertheless quite obsolete. Accordingly, the Department of Militia & Defence arranged a very hasty purchase of 1,001 Colt Model 1878 Double Action revolvers for military issue (through the New York outfitting firm of Hartley & Graham, rather than directly from Colt.) The Canadian-purchase revolvers were nickle-plated. with 7.5" barrels, and chambered in .45 Colt. This is mine:




On the other hand, in 1885 the standard-issue handgun of the North West Mounted Police was the .476 Enfield MkII revolver -






As a post-script to the above, when Canada's First Contingent went for service in in the Second Anglo-Boer War in late 1899, the Model 1878 Colts were the handguns which went along. (Colt New Service revolvers, also in .45 Colt, were acquired for issue to subsequent contingents.) This is one of my favorite images of Canadian Boer War troops - a group of rather field-worn buglers of the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, most of them with their Model 1878 Colts thrust in rather swashbuckling fashion into their belts -

[Light Dragoon]

I love that photo, Grant! Thanks for posting it (again! I saw it also on the Barracks forum on CAS City!)

I've always found the mix of British and American weapons in Canada to be interesting. British for traditions sake, American for ease of acquisition, and perhaps more suited to the local. Makes for an interesting mixture!

Cheers!

Gordon

[servicepub]

Although the NWMP purchased British sidearms, the Department of Militia and Defence bought US weapons uniquely (although purchased in London, the Colt Navy is a US design). A few British Enfields and Webley's came into Canadian military use during the two world wars but these were the exception rather than the rule. Grant outlines some of the 1855 and 1885 purchases but full details can be found in my book "Canadian Military Handguns, 1855-1985". Ask your library to order a copy.

[Scona]

Are there any replica makers for the Colt Model 1878? I've searched the internet but came up with nothing.

[GrantRCanada]

To my knowledge, no reproduction Model 1878 revolvers are being made. Matter of fact, it is extremely unlikely that any manufacturer would do so - because the biggest market for such reproduction "period handguns" is Cowboy Action shooters, and a double action revolver like this would not be allowed in most events. Since that would mean any reproduction would only be made in small numbers, the finished product would probably be much too expensive for it to make economic sense to produce them for the very limited possible market which would remain for such a reproduction.

Mind you, if you'd like an original, I know of one currently for sale in the United States (possible Canadian 1885 purchase, but "refinished") for just under US$4000.00 .....