Original Item: Only One Available The romance around Colt "Cowboy" Revolvers never ceases to amaze us. This is a fantastic example of the Model 1877 "Thunderer" Double Action .41 Caliber Revolver, with a great nickel plated finish and wonderfully aged ivory grips! This is the same model that was carried by "Billy the Kid", and is even from the same era!

It is marked on the bottom of the grip, frame, and trigger guard with serial number 13123, indicating it was made in 1878. 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", such as this example.

This example has a 3 1/2 inch barrel, which is etched on the left side of the barrel in an oval with:

and on the top with:

This revolver even has the full patent information visible on the left side of the frame, showing 1871, '74, and '75 dates. There is even the original 41CAL marking on the trigger guard. These markings are crisp, with none of the usual signs of refinishing. The ejector door is marked with assembly number 923.

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.

We purchased this revolver as a "THUNDERER" and it is in fine working order and condition. This has its original nickel plated finish on most of the revolver frame and barrel, while the cylinder looks to be worn. The barrel is great, with clear lands and grooves, and a mostly bright finish. Its bird's head grips look to be made of ivory or none, and have matured and checked wonderfully over the years. There are the initials A.F.K. marked on the left grip.

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 great example of an early Cartridge Colt Revolver in .41 caliber in very nice condition and ready to display, An ANTIQUE made in 1878.

Specifications: 
Year of Manufacture: 1878
Caliber: .41 "Long" Colt
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 8 inches
Action: Double Action Only
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver