FALL 2019 GUNSOFTHEOLDWEST 7
which the idea was quickly
taken up by gunsmiths and
manufacturers in the 1870s.
Colt didn’t invent the
bird’s-head grip, but the
company did perfect it, and
wasted little time putting it
to use with the new double-
action Model 1877 Lightning
revolver in .38 Colt. The
medium-frame Lightning
pistols were offered in barrel
lengths as short as 1½ inches
without a cartridge ejector,
and a year later, Colt added
the larger-caliber Model
1878 double action in.
Colt and other calibers. The
barrel lengths again varied
from a couple of inches
to the more traditional
5½ inches on the Model
1878, though longer and
shorter barrels were offered.
Lawmen, shopkeepers and
plenty of outlaws famously
embraced the bird’s-head-
gripped Colts. Other mak-
ers followed suit with small
revolvers and rounded grips
to make their guns easier to
pocket or conceal.
Famous Fighters
The bird’s-head grip, as
designed by Colt, was large
enough for a solid purchase
but shaped so that the gun
was smaller and easier to
carry with or without a hol-
ster. Gunsmiths—talented
ones in particular—took
the idea further and altered
larger revolvers like the
2½-inch barrels and round-
ed backstraps even more
severe than the Colt bird’s-
head style. One such gun
was carried by Deputy U.S.
Dallas Stouden-
mire (left) and
Bass Outlaw
(below) both
carried cut-down
Colts,though
stock grips.
Early & ModErn FirEarMs CoMpany, inC.
http://www.emf-company.com (800) 430-
Great Western II
sInGle actIons
Since 1956
MSRP
$ 790
MSRP
$ 665
MSRP
$ 535
GWII “U.s. Marshal”
AVAILABLE:
.357Mag, 45LC
4 ¾” Barrel Only
One-Piece U.S. Marshal Grip
GWII DelUxe “GranDe calIfornIan”
AVAILABLE:
357Mag,45LC
4 ¾” Barrel Only
One Piece Diamond Checkered Grip
GWII “the GaMbler’s royale”
AVAILABLE:
.357Mag, 45LC
4 ¾” Barrel Only
One Piece Black Grip
