Original U.S. Colt M1877 .38cal Lightning Revolver with 3 ½" Barrel made in 1879 - Serial 18097

Original Item: Only One Available The romance around Colt "Cowboy" Revolvers never ceases to amaze us. This is a lovely "frontier worn" example of the Model 1877 "Lightning" Double Action .38 Caliber Revolver. It is marked on the bottom of the grip, frame, and trigger guard with serial number 18097, indicating it was made in 1879. The cylinder is worn, so we are not able to see any markings, making this a very nice "Mostly Matching" example. It also is marked on the loading gate with assembly number 444.

The M1877 was offered from the factory in two basic finishes: nickel-plated or a case-hardened frame with a blue barrel and cylinder. The revolver was available in barrel lengths from 2.5" to 7.5" and was available with or without the ejector rod and housing. The shorter barreled versions without the ejector rod were marketed as "shopkeeper's specials".

This example has a nice 3 ½" barrel, and was originally blued from the factory. It saw extensive use, most likely on the frontier, resulting in an overall mottled gray patina on the exterior. This has also worn the markings somewhat, and the original etched panel on the left side of the barrel is completely gone. It is still marked on the top of the barrel with the Colt address, which is a bit faint in areas:

COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. Co.
HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.

It also still has all of the original patent markings on the left side of the frame, though the bottom line is almost completely worn away:-

PAT. SEPT 19.1871.
''     ''   5.    '' 74.
[''  JAN.19.   ''] 75.

The M1877 revolvers were marketed under different names such as "LIGHTNING" to appeal to different groups of customers. Although all were of the same basic design, they were also referred to as "THUNDERERS", "RAINMAKERS", and SHERIFF'S MODELS" as well, depending on the caliber and configuration. None of these names were Colt designations, nor used by the factory in any reference materials of the time. All of these terms were coined by Benjamin Kittredge, one of Colt's major distributors. Kittredge was responsible for the terms "Peacemaker" for the Single Action Army, "Omnipotent" for the Colt M1878 double-action (often known as the "Frontier" model), and nicknames for the various chamberings of the New Line models. This example is marked 38CAL on the trigger guard, so it is definitely a "Lightning."

We purchased this revolver as a "LIGHTNING" and it is in very nice condition. It displays a lovely worn patina overall, giving it a great "been there" look. It is fitted with a very nice walnut grip, which may be a replacement, which shows traces of having been hand checkered long ago. The revolver cycles, but it definitely works better in single than double action. It does not really index properly in double action, probably due to wear on the ratchet or due to the cylinder lock not engaging. The bore is in very good condition, still showing crisp lands and grooves, though it has overall light fouling and oxidation on the interior. We do not see any major pitting or other damage inside the bore.

The "Lightning" was the favored personal weapon of famous Manchester (UK) Victorian detective and then head of CID, Jerome Caminada. Old West outlaw John Wesley Hardin frequently used both "Lightning" and "Thunderer" versions of the Colt 1877 revolver. Likewise the 1877 "Thunderer" in .41 caliber was the preferred weapon of Billy the Kid and was his weapon of choice when he was killed by Pat Garrett in 1881.

A lovely "frontier worn" example of an early Cartridge Colt Revolver in .38 caliber in very good condition and ready to display, A Pre-1899 ANTIQUE made in 1879.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1879
Caliber: .38 "Long" Colt
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 ½ inches
Overall Length: 9 inches
Action: Single/Double Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver