Colt '78 Alaskan

I'm trying to verify the history of Colt's M. 1878 "Alaskan" revolvers. The history I have heard is that the oversized triggerguard was necessary because the guns were made with extra-strong mainsprings, and lengthened triggers were installed in order to overcome the increased triger pull. This was done because Frankford Arsenal produced a run of .45 ammo with unusually hard primers. The Dept of War decided that a few thousand mainsprings were cheaper than several hundred thousand new rounds of ammo.

I've heard the stories about the Army wanting revolvers which could be fired while wearing gloves, and of Filipino Scouts being so small and weak that they needed two fingers on the trigger in order to fire the guns; the "primer" story was told to me by a very knowlegable collector who has since passed on. I haven't found his explanation anywhere else, but I have tried the trigger on an Alaskan, and it's heavier than a lead fruitcake.

Any help from any certified Colt maniacs will be greatly appreciated!

Bisley45