1888 Vintage Colt Model 1877 Lightning DA/SA Revolver in .38 Long Colt w/ 3.5" Barrel ** All-Original & Matching 100% Functional Example **
Guns International #: 101793926 Seller's Inventory #: CM19-1641
Category: Colt Revolvers - Lightning - Colt Revolvers - Antique

Seller's Information
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Verified Seller
Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Member Since: 4/27/15
State: Kentucky
Zip: 40503
Country: United States
Phone: (859) 276-1419
Fax: (859) 278-0838
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 179
Total Number of Listings: 14860
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.

Payment Types Accepted: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check



Description:
This is an honest all-matching and original Colt Model 1877 Lightning revolver chambered in .38 Long Colt with a 3.5" inch etched-panel barrel.  This Colt Lightning was built in 1888 and remains in 100% functional condition.  The DA/SA Colt Model 1877 was first introduced in 1877 and remained in production until 1909, with more than 166,000 manufactured in total.  It was offered in .32 Colt, .38 Long Colt, and .41 Colt, in multiple barrel lengths and with and without ejectors.  This DA/SA revolver was the only fixed-cylinder double-action revolver that Colt ever produced, and the nicknames "Rainmaker" for the .32, "Lightning" for the .38, and "Thunderer" for the .41 were given to the guns by dealers promoting the revolvers rather than the Colt company itself.  Unfortunately, despite the Model 1877's good looks the early double-action design was delicate, intricate, and very difficult to repair.  The trigger spring was particularly failure-prone, leaving the revolver single-action only.  Ultimately it was these faults that made the Model 1877 unpopular and doomed the design.  This particular Colt Lightning is serial number 64832, and it features a factory blue and case-colored finish, a 3.5" inch barrel with an etched panel on the left side (very faint) and no ejector rod and housing, a 6-shot long-fluted cylinder, and factory checkered black hard rubber grips on the standard bird's head grip.  The factory gloss blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, grip frame, and triggerguard is still intact although the vast majority of it has turned a brown-blue and it shows a lot of finish wear and patina.  The cleanest and brightest of the original blue is located on the top of the grip frame behind the hammer, on the back side of the hammer, and in some of the protected areas within the triggerguard and on the underside of the barrel.  The factory case colors on the frame have all worn away to a gray patina with only traces of color still visible in places.  It is still a handsome gun as all of the wear and patina visible is very consistent across all parts of the gun.  All of the factory markings on this Lightning are in great shape and 100% legible except for the etched panel on the left side of the barrel.  This etched panel marking of "Colt D.A. 38" is only visible under close inspection.  The company address on top of the barrel, the patent dates on the left lower-forward side of the frame, and all of the serial numbers are nice and deep with sharp edges.  The bore in this Colt is good to very good with nicely-defined and strong rifling throughout the barrel, showing only some isolated little patches of minor pitting with the balance shiny and bright.  The six chambers of the cylinder are in very good condition, clean and free from any damage with just a touch of a frosted look.  The original grips are still on this Colt but as you can see from the pictures, the right-side grip shows some significant damage and repairs.  It appears that the gun was dropped on that grip or took a blow of some type to that grip which caused it to crack and break into several pieces.  It has since been pieced back together with glue and feels solid, but the exterior definitely shows the extent of the damage.  On the opposite side the left grip panel is in great shape, free from any cracks, repairs, or major damage.  This grip panel shows only wear consistent with the rest of the gun and is 100% solid.  The checkering is still well-defined on both grips with an equal degree of light wear visible, and the Rampant Colt logos still show the original details in the mold on both sides.  As you can see in the pictures, this is a handsome little Colt 1877 Lightning double-action/single-action revolver.  As mentioned before, this Colt Lightning is still in perfect working order with excellent mechanics.  The action is smooth and perfectly "in time" no matter how it is worked.  All of the controls are in perfect working order, and the hammer still has all three notches intact for the safety position, half-cock, and full-cock.  The spring-loaded loading gate snaps in and out tightly and the spring-loaded cylinder pin release works perfectly.  We have no doubt that this Colt would still function just as well today as it did 133 years ago!  If you have been looking for a nice honest and original antique Colt Lightning revolver this 1888-production example with a 3.5" barrel would be a great choice.  It isn't too often that you will see these at this price level with perfect mechanics regardless of exterior condition, much less all-matching and as handsome as this one.  As this Colt is an antique it can be shipped directly to your home, no FFL transfer needed.           

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Handgun Caliber: .38 Long Colt
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Model 1877 Lightning
Serial Number: 64832
Barrel Length: 3.5" Inches
Condition: Very Good / Good
Metal Condition: Good
Bore Condition: Very Good / Good
Action: Double-Action / Single-Action Revolver
Finish: Gloss Blue / Color Case-Hardened
Sights: Fixed Iron Sights
Manufacture Date: 1888