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LOT 1081
Exceptional Documented Continental Tobacco Company Shipped Colt Model 1877 Lightning Double Action Revolver with Picture Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. 140099, 38 Long Colt cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1903, this is an exceptional example
of a Colt Model 1877 Lightning revolver. The “Lightning” nickname is believed to have been coined by the famous Colt distributor Benjamin Kittredge who is also believed to have been responsible for giving the Single Action Army its iconic nickname “Peacemaker”. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration, the grips not listed, as well as sale to the Florodora Tag Company
in Cleveland, Ohio, and shipment to the Continental Tobacco Company in New York on 5 February 1903 as part of a 50 gun shipment. Interestingly, these revolvers, as well as other firearms, were part of a tobacco company rewards program in which “tags” could be exchanged for a firearm. In period advertising, the Colt 1877 revolver is
listed as the prize for 1,300 tags. The standard two-line address is marked on top of the barrel, and the caliber marking is on the left. The left side of the frame is marked with the three-line patent dates and the circled Rampant Colt. The assembly number “34” is inside the loading gate. It is fitted with the standard blade front sight and frame top groove rear sight, as well as a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the top. Includes a correctly labeled Colt factory box that is hand numbered to a different gun on the bottom.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus of the original blue finish, 95% of the vibrant original case colors, and 98% of the original nitre blue with some light edge/high spot wear and light rotation marks on the cylinder. The grips are excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with some mild wear and flaking, mostly on edges and corners.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
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