1877 CASED, LETTERED & ENGRAVED Antique COLT M1877 “Lightning” DA Revolver NEW YORK Shipped to SCHUYLER, HARTLEY & GRAHAM

Description:
1877 CASED, LETTERED & ENGRAVED Antique COLT M1877 “Lightning” DA Revolver

NEW YORK Shipped to SCHUYLER, HARTLEY & GRAHAM

Here Ancestry Guns presents an antique Colt Model 1877 Lightning Double Action Revolver, made in its first year of production in 1877 in Hartford, Connecticut. The Model 1877 was Colt’s first venture into double action revolvers. It was quite successful, selling 166,849 from 1877 through 1909. Nonetheless, there was some hesitation to move away from the single action mechanism, which had so proven itself. Famous adopters of the Lightning were William “Billy the Kid” Bonney and John Wesley Hardin, along with “Doc” Holliday. Doc’s weapon of choice early in his western career was an 1851 Colt Navy revolver.

The Model 1877 was designed in 1876 by William Mason and was offered in three different calibers with production beginning in January 1877, which led to the three unofficial names. The first production model was the “Lightning”, in .38 Long Colt caliber. Later that year, Colt came out with the .41 Long Colt caliber called the “Thunderer”. The .32 Long Colt caliber, called the “Rainmaker”, didn’t go into production until sometime in 1887. Benjamin Kittredge, the largest Colt Distributor in Cincinnati, Ohio, coined the nicknames for these guns as a marketing tool. He was also responsible for calling the Model 1873 Single Action Army the “Peacemaker”. None of the nicknames were ever used by the factory in any reference materials. The 1877 "Thunderer” in .41 caliber was the preferred weapon of Billy the Kid and was his weapon of choice when he was killed by Pat Garret in 1881.

The included factory letter lists this revolver in .38 caliber and blue finished. With the stocks and barrel length “Not Listed” when the revolver shipped on June 30th, 1877, to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of New York, NY. The revolver was subsequently engraved. Includes a wooden case with 22 mixed headstamp .38 Colt cartridges in the block and a screwdriver.
In 1860, Schuyler, Hartley & Graham was the largest firearms dealer in the United States. Jacob Rutsen Schuyler (1816-1887), Marcellus Hartley (1828-1902) and Malcolm Graham (1832-1899) incorporated their company on March 1, 1854. In 1876 Schuyler retired from the company and by 1880 they changed the name to Hartley and Graham. Malcolm Graham died in December 1899, and the company was reincorporated as M. Hartley Company. Marcellus Hartley died on January 8, 1902.

The overall condition is fine. Refinished in nickel. Excellent action in both double and single action modes. The bore has dimmed and maintains serviceable rifling. Crisp engravings and markings. Visible numbers match. Both grips are good with an average amount of handling and storage wear. The case is very good. The accessories are good. The plaque on the case has what appears to be “W.P. Bucky” hand inscribed.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 3-1/2 inches.

Caliber: .38 Long Colt

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

$5995

#259566
 

Antique: Yes

Price: $5,995.00
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