Make: Colt

Model: 1877, "Lightning"

Serial Number: 134764

Year of Manufacture: 1902

Caliber: .38 Colt

Action Type: Single and Double Action Side Loading Gate Revolver

Barrel Length: 6"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch integral to the topstrap.

Grip Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece wood secured with brass rivets. The grips have light handling wear with a few scattered light marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color

Finish Originality: Most finish is original to the parts. The grip frame has been altered and the grip straps have what appears to be finish from the stocks. Numbered parts match, the alteration has removed the serial marking from the backstrap.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is scattered light erosion and infrequent minor pitting in the bore. There is a minor bulge in the bore at the front sight. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The balance is mostly in the grip straps which have been modified from their original birdshead profile to a more traditional square-butt. The modified areas of the grip straps appear to have been left in the white with residue from the grips' finish giving them a brass-like appearance. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. The sides of the frame and trigger guard below the cylinder have some notable dings. There are a few scattered more minor marks. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The remaining markings are clear, the patent dates are interrupted by the dings. Overall, this pistol is in about Good condition as customized, see Mechanics.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly in single action. When operated in double action, the hammer will intermittently fail to fall, releasing the trigger returns the hammer to half-cock. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Colt M1877 was a double action revolver manufactured from 1877 to 1909 with 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 principal difference between the models was the cartridge in which they were chambered, .38 Long Colt, .41 Long Colt and .32 Colt, respectively. The M1877 was designed 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. The nicknames were coined by Benjamin Kittredge, one of Colt's major distributors, who was also responsible for the term "Peacemaker" for the Single Action Army.

This example has been modified with its typical birdshead grip frame converted to a more conventional square-butt. This appears to have been done for the film industry, as the butt has the distinctive "S" stamping of Stembridge Gun Rentals, which supplied firearm to the movie and television industries for nearly a century. There is a minor bulge in the bore and revolver has a mechanical issue with intermittent failure to fire when operated in double-action, but functions just fine in single action. This intriguing pistol will make a great addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!