Birds Head Grips

The era of the 1870s-1890s was a remarkable period on many levels, not the least of which was the rapid progression of firearms design.  I've been doing a little bit of research, and found some interesting stuff.  The first one is here:

The 1877 Colt Double Action Revolver
by Ed Buffaloe

Most likely, the Colt Double Action revolver of 1877 was a response to the introduction of the Webley Bulldog pistol in 1872, which was already being imported into the U.S. by late 1873.  The Webley was a double action pistol with a two inch barrel, the original version of which held 5 rounds of .44 center fire ammunition.  It was well received in the U.S. because it was well made, reliable, concealable, and relatively cheap compared to a Colt or a Smith & Wesson, plus it was “self-cocking,” advertised (in later years) as being able to fire five rounds in three seconds.  This gun almost demanded a response from the premier American gun manufacturers.

More at the link.

But, there is a post over at The Firing Line forum on poinnt, and one user, Mizar,  posts an interesting revolver with the following quote:

"Colt Single Action Army manufactured in 1880, and inspected by David Clark, and thus stamped with DFC on frame, bbl, and cylinder. No US markings found, and were thus most likely obliterated." Quote from the Facebook post.

If that is true, we know of t least one example of a Colt 1873 that had birds head grips.   This topic certainly bears more study.