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LOT 135
Historic Colt Company Superintendent Shipped Factory
Engraved Colt Model 1877 Thunderer Sheriff’s Model
Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no.
23068, 41 Long Colt cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard
rubber grips. Manufactured in 1889. The revolver is complete
with a Colt factory letter that lists the revolver features as:
“Caliber: .41/c, Barrel Length: 3 1/2”, Finish: Nickel”, and “Type of
Stocks: Rubber”. The letter states that the revolver was factory
engraved and indicates that it was shipped to “F.F. Knous,
Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms Mfg. Company, Hartford, Connecticut”
on May 31, 1889. The letter further states that “Mr. Knous was
Superintendent of the Colt Company during this time period”.
The revolver has a nickel plated finish with fire blue ejector rod
head, frame screws, trigger and hammer top. The two-piece
checkered bird’s head grips are black hard rubber and have the
Rampant Colt trademark embossed in an oval at the top. The top
of the barrel is roll stamped with the two-line legend “COLT’S PT.
F.A. MFG. Co/HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” surrounded by an engraved
double-line panel. “COLT D.A. 41” is acid etched in an oblong
panel on the left side of the barrel. The Colt “1871”, “74 and “75”
patent dates are roll stamped in three lines on the left side of
the frame. “41 Cal” is stamped on the left rear trigger guard
bow. The assembly number “886” is stamped on the inside of
the loading gate. The full serial number, “23068” is roll-stamped
on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and bottom of the
bird’s head grip. The partial serial number “068” is visible on the
inside of both grips. The revolver is engraved with Germanic
scrollwork on a punch dot background with double line borders.
The engraving approximates what Colt later designated “Style 2”
or “B” engraving. The engraving was probably executed by Cuno
A. Helfricht or his staff. Cuno Helfricht was Colt’s Chief Engraver
in 1889. Included with the revolver are copies of patents issued
to Franklin F. Knous.
CONDITION: Excellent. The revolver is all original and retains
90% of the original nickel plated finish. The plating has minor
edge wear on the back strap, trigger guard and cylinder. The fire
blue finish on the trigger is thin but nearly all is present on the
screws and top of the hammer. The flawlessly executed scroll
work is sharp and deep. The hard rubber bird’s head grips are
nearly perfect. The action is tight and functions perfectly. This
is an exceptional, documented Colt Model 1877 Storekeeper
revolver has combines high condition and factory engraving
with documented ownership by the Superintendent of Colt
Firearms. This is an outstanding Model 1877 revolver which
would be difficult to improve upon.
Estimate: 10,000 - 18,000