Model: 1877 Thunderer
Serial Number: 42461
Year of Manufacture: 1883
Caliber: .41 Colt
Action Type: Single Action/Double Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Barrel Length: 3 1/2"
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a "V" notch integral to the top strap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are checkered black hard rubber on a bird’s head grip frame, with a Rampant Colt in an oval at the top of each panel. The grips have fairly even light handling wear, mostly toward the bottom along the edges of the "beak". There are a few scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no exterior chips or cracks, the interior of the right panel has cracking at the screw hole. The checkering is generally well defined. There is decent detail in the rampant colts. Overall, the grips rate in Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Nickel, Fire-Blued Screws, Trigger & Hammer
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined. There is scattered light-moderate erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 5/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 50% of its metal finish. Strongest finish is on the barrel and frame, each showing some areas of finish loss. The grip frame and cylinder have infrequent finish, mostly worn to white. Worn areas show some oxidation and minor erosion. There are scattered nicks and small scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear including the barrel's etched panel. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: Included is a photocopy of a Colt Archives letter which indicates this revolver was produced in its current configuration and shipped March 28, 1883 to Hartley and Graham in New York, NY as one of 15 guns of the same type in the shipment.
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", "Thunderer", and "Rainmaker". The revolver 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 Thunderer looks good for its age, retaining some of its original nickel finish at more than 140 years old and retaining strong mechanics. Perhaps best for collectors is that this revolver was produced when the caliber marking was applied in an etched panel on the barrel. While frequently worn or even completely gone, this example is still quite legible. This would be a neat addition to a Colt collection, especially one missing the "Thunderer". Please see our photos and good luck!
