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LOT 3101
Scarce Long Barrel Ejectorless Antique
Acid Etched Colt Model 1877 Lightning
Double Action Revolver with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 23085, 38 Long Colt cal., 6 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1880. The revolver has the scarce
6 inch ejectorless long barrel with the desirable
“COLT DA 38” acid etched panel on the left side. The
6 inch ejectorless barrel is one of the rarest features
of the Model 1877. The top of the barrel has the
two-line Hartford address. The two-line address was
commonly reserved for barrels up to 4 3/4 inches.
On barrels of 5 1/2 inches or longer the one-line
address was used. Therefore, the two-line address
on this 6 inch barrel is unusual. The front sight is a
German silver half moon. The left side of the frame
has the three-line patent dates. The left side of the
trigger guard is marked “38 CAL.” The revolver wears
a desirable checkered walnut one-piece bird’s
head grip. The factory letter states the revolver was
shipped to Hartley & Graham of New York City on March 5, 1880 with barrel length unknown (illegible in
record), .38 caliber chambering, blue finish, and type of stocks not listed. The letter also states the revolver
was furnished with an ejector. This is a factory recording error as the frame lacks provision for an ejector
rod. This was a two gun shipment.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% original blue finish and 40% original case colors with smooth brown and
gray patina on the balance and a few areas of scratches. Most of the acid etched panel remains with tool-
like marks through the “A” in DA. The grip is fine with minor handling marks, some high edge wear, and
overall crisp checkering. Mechanically functions, but trigger must be reset after action is cycled. A rarely
encountered acid etched panel long barrel ejectorless Colt Model 1877 revolver.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3100
Excellent Antique Etched Panel
Colt Sheriff’s Model 1877
Lightning Double Action Revolver with
Scarce 2 1/2 Inch Barrel, Pearl Grips, and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 14712, 38 Long Colt cal., 2 1/2 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1879,
as an ejectorless “Sheriff’s Model” variation with a desirable
3 1/2 inch barrel and clear acid etched barrel panel. The barrel has
the sought after acid etched “COLT D.A. 38” panel on the left side.
The top of the barrel has the two-line Hartford address. The left
side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. “38 CAL”
is marked on the left side of the trigger guard. The matching serial
number appears on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and cylinder.
The included factory letter states the revolver was shipped to B. Kittredge
& Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, on March 21, 1879 with a 2 1/2 inch barrel in .38
caliber, nickel finish, and hard rubber stocks. This was a 19 gun shipment.
The Model 1877 was designed by William Mason who was one of the
inventors of Colts legendary Single Action Army revolver, and the model was Colt’s first mass produced
double action revolver. Whether on the hip of a lawman, carried by an outlaw or under the counter of a
storekeeper’s shop, these concealable pocket pistol Sheriff’s Models were at the front lines of the American frontier. This
example is in well above average condition for an early production gun.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% plus original nickel finish with high edge wear on the front of the cylinder and
some light flaking. The acid etched barrel panel is crisp. The
slightly undersized grips are very fine with attractive colors.
Mechanically excellent. This high condition etched panel Colt
Sheriff’s Model 1877 Revolver will make a great addition to any
frontier collection.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,750 - 5,500
LOT 3099
Scarce Long Barrel Ejectorless Antique Acid Etched
Panel Early Production Colt Model 1877 Lightning
Double Action Revolver with Attractive Grip and
Factory Letter - Serial no. 1062, 38 Long Colt cal., 4 1/ 2 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured in
1877, the first year of production. The revolver has the scarce 4 1/2
inch ejectorless long barrel with the very desirable and clear “COLT
DA 38” acid etched panel on the left side. Ejectorless examples are
generally encountered with barrel lengths between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2
inches. The top of the barrel has the two-line Hartford address. The
left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking, and
the left side of the trigger guard is marked “38 CAL.” London proof
marks appear on the barrel and on the cylinder at the rear of each
flute. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard,
back strap, and cylinder. The included factory letter states the
revolver was shipped to Colt’s London Agency and confirms
the “Long configuration” barrel in .38 caliber, nickel finish, and
grip material. This was an eight gun shipment. This example
is in well beyond the typical condition of an early first year
production gun.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% plus untouched original
nickel finish. The original acid etched barrel panel is also
excellent. The grip is also excellent with some minor handling marks and highly attractive color and grain.
Mechanically excellent. A high condition first year production Colt Model 1877 Lighting Revolver made even
more desirable with a 4 1/2 inch ejectorless barrel.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3102
Desirable 50-Count
(Colt Lightning
Double Action)
Picture Box of .38
Long Colt Cartridges
by Union Metallic
Cartridge Co. - This
factory sealed box is of
card stock construction
with a blue basket
weave pattern and
green labeling with
black text throughout.
The label on top of the lid features an image of Colt’s Sheriff’s Model 1877 Lightning double action
revolver, the Union Metallic Cartridge Co. address, and states that the cartridges are specifically adapted to
“Colt’s Double Action, and other .38 cal. pistols. One of the side labels has a guarantee from Colt that the
cartridges are specifically made for their revolver.
CONDITION: Very fine, the box remains factory sealed with its full compliment of cartridges, mostly
distinct text and imagery, a few light tears to labeling, and mild handling/storage wear overall. A fantastic
piece to pair with a Colt Model 1877 Lightning revolver for display!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 1,200 - 1,800
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