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LOT 3109
Excellent Colt “Sheriff’s” Model 1877 Thunderer
Ejectorless Double Action Revolver
with Desirable 2 1/2 Inch Barrel Scarce Factory Picture Box - Serial no. 140682, 41
Long Colt cal., 2 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1903, this is an outstanding example of an ejectorless “Sheriff’s Model” variation of the
Colt Model 1877 “Thunderer” revolver. Though the nicknames
“Rainmaker”, “Lightning”, and “Thunderer” are all excellent marketing material, they were not names ever actually used by Colt. These nicknames are believed to have been coined by the famous Colt distributors, Benjamin Kittredge, who is also believed to have been responsible for giving the Single Action Army its iconic nickname, “Peacemaker”. The Model 1877 was
designed by William Mason, who was also one of the designers of the legendary “Peacemaker”, and the similarities between the two are undeniable. While not nearly as successful as the Single Action Army from a business standpoint, the Model 1877 was an incredibly important stepping stone towards the double action revolvers that would carry Colt successfully through the 20th century. This example has the standard two-line address on top of the barrel and the “COLT.D.A.41” caliber marking on the left. The three-line patent date marking is on the left of the frame followed by the iconic circled Rampant Colt. The assembly number “492” is marked inside the loading gate. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and backstrap, and both grips appear to have faint, hand marked, matching partial serial numbers. It is fitted with blade front and frame-top groove rear sights, as well as a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops. Included with the revolver is a scarce, correctly labeled, factory picture box which features an image of an ejectorless Model 1877 revolver on the lid, with the end having a correct label with an additional partial label added which states “WITHOUT EJECTOR”. The box is hand numbered on the bottom to a different gun.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish, 98% of the vibrant original case colors, and 99% of the original niter blue with some very light edge wear and very little handling evidence. The grips have a series of minor scuffs on the left panel but otherwise are excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with a couple corners of the lid separated, a few small pieces absent from the labels,
and mild wear.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 3110
Exceptional Colt Model of 1877 Thunderer Double Action Revolver - Serial no.
105374, 41 Long Colt cal., 4 1/2 inch bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. This Colt Thunderer Model 1877 DA revolver was manufactured in 1897. The revolver has a 4 1/2 inch barrel and the distinctive checkered, hard rubber, birdhead grips. The barrel, cylinder,
trigger guard and backstrap have a high polish blue finish. The frame and loading gate are case- hardened. The trigger and top of the hammer are niter blue and the sides of the hammer are bright. The
black, hard rubber grips, are finely checkered and have the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval in the upper corners. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co/HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.” in two lines. The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT. D.A. 41”. The left side of the frame is stamped with the 1871, “73 and “75 patent dates in a three-line format followed by the encircled Rampant
Colt trademark. The serial number is located on the front of the frame, the trigger guard, and the backstrap. The partial serial number, “374” is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder.
CONDITION: Excellent plus. The revolver retains 97% plus of the original blue and casehardened finish. The barrel shows minimal wear and retains the
feathered polishing marks on either side of the front sight blade. The blue on the barrel, ejector shroud, cylinder trigger guard and backstrap is nearly all intact and finish loss is limited to traces of edge wear on high points and an extremely minor patch of surface rust on front grip strap. The color casehardened finish on receiver and loading gate is has vivid case colors. The fiery, niter blue, finish on the trigger, screws and top of the hammer is 98% intact. Markings are sharp. The grips are also excellent with minor high spot wear. Mechanically excellent. An
outstanding example of a Model 1877 Thunderer DA Revolver. Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
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