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LOT 1113
Exceptional Acid Etched Panel Colt London Sheriff’s Model 1877 Lightning Double Action Revolver with Picture Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. 13193, 38 Long Colt cal., 3 1/2
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, rosewood grips. The included factory letter dated April 30, 1976 confirms that this exceptional revolver was shipped on February 21, 1879 to Colt’s London Agency in London, England, with a 3 1/2 inch barrel in .38 caliber with finish and type of stocks not listed. This was a 100 gun shipment. The top of the barrel has the two-line Colt Pall Mall London address. The left side of the barrel has the highly sought after acid etched caliber marking (“COLT DA 38”). London proofs are stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the cylinder behind each flute. The left side of the casehardened frame has the three-line patent dates marking, and the left side of the trigger guard bow has the caliber designation “38 CAL.”. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the
assembly number “550” is marked on the loading gate. It has the standard round blade front and frame groove rear sights, niter blued small parts, and checkered one- piece rosewood bird’s head grip. Also included is a rare Colt Sheriff’s Model 1877 Lightning revolver picture box (numbered to another gun). Designated for the
desirable Sheriff’s Model variation of the Colt’s Model 1877 (3 1/2 inch barrel), these brown cloth cover, hinged lid boxes are rarely encountered. The exterior of the lid
has the iconic illustrated picture label listing the 3 1/2 inch barrel in .38 caliber.
CONDITION: Extremely fine, retaining 90% bright original high polish blue finish with thinning to brown mostly on the cylinder. The acid etched barrel panel is excellent. The frame retains 90% plus vivid original case colors with some fading on the high points and a series of scratches along the entire left edge of the top strap. The grip is very fine with minor handling marks and scattered blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. The box is very good with most of the label remaining. Mechanically excellent. A high condition, documented acid etched panel Colt London Sheriff’s Model 1877 Lightning DA revolver with factory picture box that will bring added dimension to any Colt or antique firearms collection. Provenance: The R. Ogan Collection; The Richard C. Marohn, M.D. Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 1114
Exceptional Documented London Agency Cased Early First Year Production Three-Digit Serial Number 160 Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no.
160, 450 Boxer cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The factory letter lists this revolver in “.45 Eley” with a 5 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish when it was part of a shipment of 50 of these revolvers shipped to Colt’s London Agency at 14 Pall Mall on July 29, 1878. “.45 Eley” and “.45 Boxer” appear to have been used interchangeably by Colt as is clearly shown on this revolver which letters in “.45 Eley” but is marked “.45 CAL/B” on the left side of the trigger guard. There are also several other names for the official designated “.450 Boxer Mk I” cartridge that was adopted for the centerfire Adams revolvers in 1868, including “.450 Colt.” The barrel has the scarce “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. DEPOT 14 PALL MALL LONDON” address and has a blade
front sight. Only 1,653 Model 1878s were manufactured in .450 Boxer with a 5 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish per Don Wilkerson in “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver” on p. 354. London proofs are stamped on the underside of the barrel and behind each cylinder flute. The cylinder, loading gate, toe, and both grip panels have matching serial numbers. The partitioned oak case features green
baize lining, a Colt London Agency trade label on the interior of the lid, an L-shaped screwdriver, a cleaning rod, and a 21-round cartridge block with 6 fired cartridge cases and 13 cartridges with various head stamps, including some from Eley. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 85% plus bright original high polish blue finish, some flaked areas displaying smooth brown patina, and generally only light age and storage related wear. The grips are excellent and have crisp checkering, nearly all of the
high polish finish, and minor handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very fine and have minor age and storage related wear. This is a very impressive Colt London Agency cased Model 1878 DA revolver from the first year of production.
According to "Colt's Double Action Revolver, Model of 1878" by Wilkerson, only 1,653 Colt 1878 revolvers were produced in this configuration.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
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