Model: 1877 Lightning
Serial Number: 60804
Year of Manufacture: 1887
Caliber: .38 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 grip is one-piece ivory (actually two pieces adhered to a wood core) with decorative carving at the top and a carved Indian head on the right. The grips have some grain-line cracks and discoloration from age. There are a few light nicks and scratches. The fit to the frame is generally good, a little proud or shy at some edges. Overall, the grip is in Very Good condition as Antique and not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Nickel
Finish Originality: Refinished
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 80% of its current metal finish. There is some scattered flaking, mostly at edges. Some areas of finish loss show oxidation or minor erosion. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with more notable scraping at the bottom of the butt. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable slots. The markings generally range from clear to worn, but legible, the barrel's caliber marking is no longer present. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished 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 Colt Archives letter which indicates this revolver was produced as a .38 Caliber, 3 1/2" barrel, nickel finish, rubber stocks, engraved, and shipped August 17, 1887 to Hartley and Graham in New York, NY as the only gun 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 Lightning looks good for its age, sporting factory engraving and an attractive grip added outside the factory. While originally shipped with nickel finish, the revolver has been refinished, possibly when it received the inscription on the backstrap "TO N.C.L. from A.V.W. 1887". Given the date, it is entirely possible that the inscription was commissioned by Hartley and Graham for the initial purchaser. The grip frame is stamped "R.F.ENEWOLD" under the grip, indicating it was at one point in possession of prolific antique firearms collector Robert Enewold of Nevada. This revolver would be a neat addition to a Colt collection, especially one missing the "Lightning". Please see our photos and good luck!
