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LOT 1089
Excellent Antique Colt Sheriff’s Model 1877 Lightning
Double Action Revolver - Serial no. 89231, 38 Long Colt
cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips.
Manufactured in 1893, this is a high condition example of
a Colt Sheriff’s Model 1877 Lightning revolver. The top of
the barrel is marked with the standard two-line Hartford address, while the caliber marking
is on the left. The left side of the frame is marked with the three-line patent dates followed by
the circled Rampant Colt. It features the desirable Sheriff’s Model length 3 1/2 inch barrel and
is correctly not fitted with an ejector. It is fitted with a pair of checkered hard rubber grips
with Rampant Colts at the tops. Matching serial numbers are found on the frame, trigger guard,
and back strap.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% original nickel finish showing some scattered light flaking
and edge wear. The grips are also excellent with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1088
Antique Canada
Shipped Colt Acid
Etched Panel Model
1877 Lightning Double
Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 61130, 38
Long Colt cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
hard rubber grips. The Colt Model 1877 revolvers were Colt’s first
double action revolvers and were designed by William Mason who also
helped design the Single Action Army. Like the latter, these revolvers
were popular in the Old West. This example, however, was shipped to
another frontier, western Canada, proving that Colt’s DA revolver had
international appeal. The left side of the barrel is marked with “COLT D.A.
38” in an etched panel and the revolver has standard Colt markings. Matching
serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The last
three digits of the revolver, “130,” is marked under the right grip panel. The
accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on July 1, 1887
to Henry Short of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, with a 4 1/2 inch barrel
in .38 caliber, blue finish, and type of stocks not listed. This shipment was for
six guns. Henry Short was a gunsmith and retailer.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 80% original blue finish with smooth
brown patina on the balance. The frame retains 90% original case
colors with a dent at the sighting groove. The grips are fine as slightly
undersized at the frame and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically
excellent. A Canadian frontier shipped Colt Model 1877 revolver
with great appeal.
Provenance: The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1090
Very Desirable 50-Count Colt
Double Action/Single Action
Army Picture Box of .45 Long
Colt Cartridges by Winchester
Repeating Arms Co. - This factory
sealed, 50-count box is primarily
made of plain card stock with green
labeling and black text on the lid.
The side labels are in black text
and feature Colt’s guarantee and
trademark. The lid label features an
image of Colt’s Model 1878 double action revolver, the
Winchester address, and that the cartridges are for both
Colt’s double and single action revolvers. Given the
popularity of Colt’s Single Action Army revolver in .45
Long Colt, it is a very rare occurrence to find a cartridge
box with imagery featuring its double action cousin.
The box retains its factory seal and full
compliment of cartridges.
CONDITION: Excellent, the box retains its factory seal,
distinct text and imagery on the labeling, a minor tear
on the side label, and very minimal handling/storage
wear overall. This would be an exceptional addition to a
Colt Model 1878 revolver display!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1087
Antique Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolver with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 32146, 45 Long Colt cal., 4 3/4
inch round bbl., blue finish, antique ivory grips. Designed by
William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff, Colt’s factory manager and
Superintendent of Engineering, the Model 1878 revolver was intended
to be a double action alternative to Colt’s legendary Single Action
Army revolver. With 51,210 being produced, the 1878 was never nearly
as popular as its single action cousin, however, there were still many that
favored it in the west for its firepower, including Captain Jack Crawford, who replaced Buffalo Bill Cody
as “Chief of Scouts” shortly after the Battle of Little Bighorn. The accompanying factory letter states
the revolver was shipped to the sporting good retailer William R. Burkhard of St. Paul, Minnesota, on
November 29, 1893 with blue finish, .45 Colt caliber chambering, barrel length illegible in the records,
and type of stocks not listed. This was a single gun shipment. The cylinder is numbered to the gun, and
matching assembly number “238” appears on the loading gate and grip frame.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The grips are excellent
with minimal handling marks and attractive color. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500