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LOT 1177
Rare and Desirable Antique Texas Shipped Factory Engraved Colt Model 1877 Lightning Double Action Revolver with Factory Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 78281, 38 LC cal.,
4 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter list his highly desirable Model 1877 Lighting with a 4 1/2 inch barrel in .38 caliber, nickel plating, pearl grips and factory engraving when shipped to J.C. Petmecky of Austin, Texas, on September 11, 1890. This shipment was for two guns. Gunsmith Joseph Carl Petmecky (1842-1929) was an immigrant from Germany, studied
to become a gunsmith at the early age of 9, and owned a gunshop in Austin which he temporarily closed during the Civil War to join the Confederacy. He participated in General Henry Sibley’s failed New Mexico campaign and after returned to Austin to devote his gunmaking skills to the Confederacy and was a member of an Austin homeguard unit until the war ended. His shop was reopened after the war and by the early 20th century he had expanded his business to include general sporting goods.
He was granted U.S. patents for a bore cleaning device, firearms, firearm improvements and spurs (see Chirsch’s “The Texas Gun Trade”). The revolver features Helfricht style floral scroll engraving on a stippled background along with zig-zag line bordering and flourishes. A fan pattern is engraved on the recoil shield and loading gate. Scrollwork and zig-zag line patterns alternate on the cylinder flats. The top of the barrel is stamped with the two-line Hartford address, the left side of the barrel is stamped “COLT. D.A. 38,” and the left side of the frame has the patent dates marking. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. According to Colt historian R.L. Wilson, “factory records indicate approximately 250 Lightnings in .38 caliber [were engraved]” and “their usual finish was nickel plating.” This Colt model 1877 Lightning revolver and lot 1166 a Colt model 1877 Thunderer are both factory engraved Texas shipped with pearl grips, sent one week apart, and less than 150 serial numbers apart.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% original nickel plating with the balance a smooth gray patina. The engraving is crisp. The grips are also fine with minimal inside edge chipping and some minor handing marks. The action needs work. An attractive and rare factory engraved Model 1877 Lightning fitted with factory pearl grips shipped to a noted Austin, Texas, gunsmith and retailer.
Provenance: The John Fox Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500