Make: Colt

Model: 1877 "Lightning"

Serial Number: 31988

Year of Manufacture: 1881

Caliber: .38 Long Colt

Action Type: Single Action/Double Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Barrel Length: 2 1/2”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The birdshead grips are two-piece checkered hard rubber with rampant colts in ovals at their tops. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered small nicks and scratches. The checkering is generally well defined, each panel has some smoothing along the edges of the "beak" at the bottom. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Nickel

Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts are matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 5 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 50% of its metal finish. The backstrap has had "J.H. KETCHE" hand-engraved. There is some flaking around the muzzle, the cylinder gap, and the front and rear edges of the cylinder. There is finish wear in the cylinder flutes. These areas mostly show discoloration from oxidation and some erosion. Most of the grip frame has been worn or polished to white with some nickel remaining on the butt and the flats behind the hammer. There are scattered small nicks and scratches. There are some spots where the finish is bubbling slightly. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Colt M1877 was a double action revolver manufactured by Colt's Patent Fire Arms from January 1877 to 1909 for a total of 166,849 revolvers. The Model 1877 was offered in three calibers, which lent them three unofficial names: the "Lightning", the "Thunderer", and the "Rainmaker". The principal difference between the models was the cartridge in which they were chambered: the "Lightning" being chambered in .38 Long Colt; the "Thunderer" in .41 Long Colt. An earlier model in .32 Colt known as the "Rainmaker" was offered in 1877. The M1877 was designed by one of the inventors of the M1873 Colt Single Action Army, William Mason, as Colt's first attempt at manufacturing a double-action revolver and was also the first successful US-made double-action cartridge revolver. Neither "Lightning" nor "Thunderer" were Colt designations, nor used by the factory in any reference materials. Both terms were coined by Benjamin Kittredge, one of Colt's major distributors, who was also responsible for the term "Peacemaker" for the Single Action Army. Old West Outlaw John Wesley Hardin frequently used both "Lightning" and "Thunderer" versions of the Colt 1877 revolver.

This Lightning is from 1881 and chambered for the .38 Colt cartridge. This example has a 2 1/2" barrel, frequently referred to as a "Shopkeeper's Special" and retains about half of its original nickel finish. The gun has seen some use, but given its age it is in quite good condition, retaining a fairly clear etched panel on the barrel. It has also been personalized with "J.H. KETCHE" hand-marked on the backstrap. This will make a great revolver to add to a Colt or early double-action revolver collection. Please see our photos and good luck!