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LOT 95
Rare Documented Concord & Montreal Railroad Shipped Antique Colt Sheriff’s Model 1877 “Rainmaker” .32 Colt Double
Action Revolver - Serial no. 89541, 32 Colt cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. This is one of
approximately 200 of Colt’s Model 1877 revolver that were chambered in .32 Long Colt and nicknamed the “Rainmaker”. Making this
specific example even more rare, is the fact that it is in Sheriff’s Model configuration, having a 3 1/2 inch barrel and no ejector. The top
of the barrel is marked with the two-line address while the left is marked “COLT. D.A. 32”. The left of the frame has the three-line patent
date marking and the circled Rampant Colt. Matching serial numbers are visible on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap with the
matching partial serial number “541”on the right grip panel. The assembly
number “286” is marked inside the loading gate. It is fitted with a blade
front sight, groove rear sight, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips
with Rampant Colts in ovals at the tops. The included factory letter (copy)
states the revolver was shipped to Concord & Montreal Railroad, c/o John
H. Webster (address unavailable) in September 1892 with a 3 1/2 inch barrel
in .32 caliber, blue finish, and type of stocks not listed. This was a four gun
shipment. See the following lot for a second Model 1877 “Rainmaker” from
this same shipment. The Concord & Montreal Railroad operated exclusively
in the State of New Hampshire.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% plus original blue finish with thinning
to brown on the balance and 80% original case colors on the frame along
with a few areas of minor-moderate pitting. The grips are also very
fine with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rarely
encountered Colt Sheriff’s Model 1877 “Rainmaker” .32 Colt
Double Action Revolver.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
LOT 96
Rare Documented Concord & Montreal Railroad Shipped Antique Colt Sheriff’s Model 1877 “Rainmaker”
.32 Colt Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 89515, 32 Colt cal., 3 1/ 2 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. This is one of approximately 200 of Colt’s Model 1877 revolver that were
chambered in .32 Long Colt and nicknamed the “Rainmaker”. Making this specific example even more rare, is the fact
that it is in Sheriff’s Model configuration, having a 3 1/2 inch barrel and no ejector. The top of the barrel is marked with
the two-line address while the left is marked “COLT. D.A. 32”. The left of the frame has the three-line patent date marking
and the circled Rampant Colt. Matching serial numbers are visible on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap with the
matching partial serial number “515”on both grip panels. The assembly number “312” is marked inside the loading gate.
It is fitted with a blade front sight, groove rear sight, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts in
ovals at the tops. The included factory letter states the revolver was shipped to Concord & Montreal Railroad, c/o John
H. Webster (address unavailable) on September 29, 1892, with a 3 1/2 inch barrel in .32 caliber, blue finish, and type of
stocks not listed. This was a four gun shipment. See the previous lot
for a second Model 1877 “Rainmaker” from this same shipment. The
Concord & Montreal Railroad operated exclusively in the State of
New Hampshire.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% original blue finish (with some
abrasive marks visible on barrel) and 60% original case colors with
some pitting. The grips are very fine with some high edge wear,
otherwise overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rarity in
Colt collecting, The Sheriff’s Model 1877 “Rainmaker” .32 DA revolver
is missing from even the most advanced collections.
Provenance: John Kopec; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
Two Factory Documented
Colt "Rainmakers" from
the Same Shipment. Records
Indicate only 200 .32 Cal.
"Rainmakers" were Produced
by the Factory.
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