Original Item: Only One Available. The romance around Colt "Cowboy" Revolvers never ceases to amaze us. This is fantastic, a truly exceptional offering of an very early Colt M1877 "Lighting" Double Action revolver, complete with the original box! Even better, it was originally shipped to and marked by one of Colt's largest and most famous distributors of the 19th Century: the B. Kittredge Company. We have never had one of these in the original box before, and it also looks to have been customized by Kittredge, as with many of the revolvers they received.

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 is a fine nickel-plated example of the Model 1877 "Lightning" Double Action .38 Caliber Revolver, fitted with fantastic checkered rosewood grips.. It is marked on the bottom of the grip, barrel, frame, and trigger guard with serial number 424, indicating it was made in 1877, the FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION! The back of the cylinder is marked with shortened serial number 424, and also some assembly markings. This is a very nice "ALL MATCHING" example, with no parts swapped out over the years! It also is marked on the loading gate with assembly number 241.

Even better, this revolver came to us with a Colt Factory letter from the office of the Colt Historian Kathleen J Hoyt! It is dated May 16, 1977, and indicates it is a COLT DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER MODEL OF 1877, with the caliber listed as .38/c and finish listed as Blue. The barrel length and types of stocks are both Not Listed. The gun was shipped on April 24, 1877 as part of a shipment of 50 similar guns to the B. Kittredge & Company of Cincinnati, Ohio.

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 very nice 3 ½" barrel, and was nickel plated by Kittredge, who due to volume of scale it was cheaper to order blued guns and plate them in house. The markings are still mostly crisp, and the original etched COLT D.A. 38 panel on the left side of the barrel is still present! There is no wear or past pitting under the plating, so it was definitely plated before being sold. The top of the barrel was stamped by the retailer right behind the front sight:

B. KITTREDGE & CO.
CIN. O.

It is also still marked on the top of the barrel with the correct Colt address:

It also still has all of the original patent markings on the left side of the frame, to the left of the stamped "Prancing Pony" logo:

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

This example is marked 38CAL on the trigger guard and etched COLT. D.A. 38 on the left side of the barrel, so it is definitely a "Lightning."

We purchased this revolver as a "LIGHTNING" and it is in fine working order and condition. The nickel plating is very well retained on most of the revolver, showing just a few areas where it has flaked, such as near the forcing cone and the trigger. The end of the muzzle is also missing the plating. There is just a bit of light oxidation where the plating is missing, and no major rust or peppering. The lovely checkered rosewood grips are excellent, showing only light wear, and the checkering is still sharp.

The revolver functions correctly, with good indexing and a tight cylinder lockup. It works in both single and double action, though it sometimes does mis time in double action mode, so there may be some sticking in the works due to dried grease or tired springs. The bore is in excellent condition, with crisp lands and grooves and a mostly bright finish. There are just a few spots of oxidation, and it looks to have seen very little use after being purchased.

The original box measures approximately 10" x 5" x 2", and is completely correct. It indicates it is COLT'S DOUBLE ACTION PISTOL. in .38 Calibre. with a 3 ½ INCH BARREL.. It even still has the original label on the inside indicating how use the Colt reloading tools. The box does have some writing on the top, which looks to be period, and looks to read Private property of D Morgan, or possibly "Dr. Morgan". It is in very good condition considering the age, with wear to the outside, and some past glued repairs to the corners, but overall it presents wonderfully.

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 fantastic example of a very early Pre-1899 antique Colt "Lightning" Revolver in .38 caliber, complete with the original box and factory letter. This is one of the earliest examples we have ever had, and might even be from before Kittredge started to call them the "Lightning"! This is an offering we are unlikely to ever see the likes of again. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1877
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