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LOT 148
Rare 7 1/2 Inch Barrel Colt Model
1877 Lightning Double Action
Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 165167, 38 Long Colt cal.,
7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl
grips. The factory letter lists this revolver in
.38 caliber with a rare 7 1/2 inch barrel, nickel
finish, and type of stocks not listed and indicates
it was shipped to M. Hartley & Co. (successor to Hartley
& Graham) in New York City on January 18, 1908, in a
shipment of two revolvers of this type. It is fitted with an
attractive pair of period pearl grips. Blade front sight, groove top strap rear
sight. According to page 327 of “The Book of Colt Firearms” (1971 publication)
by Sutherland and Wilson, the rarest barrel lengths in these revolvers are “7 inches and longer
with ejector.” The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line Hartford address, with “COLT
D.A. 38” on the left side. The left of the frame has the three-line patent date markings. Matching
visible serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with assembly number “230”
on the loading gate. Includes a consignor supplied data sheet.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% replated nickel finish with some areas of minor frosting,
and crisp markings and edges in the metal. Grips are also very fine, with highly attractive fiery
colors, a few small minor nicks at the edges, and tight fitment. Trigger occasionally does not
release the hammer, otherwise mechanically functions.
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 145
Excellent Antique
Etched Panel Colt
Sheriff’s Model 1877
Lightning Double Action
Revolver with Scarce 2 1/2
Inch Barrel and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 25589, 38
Long Colt cal., 2 1/2 inch round
bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. The
accompanying factory letter states this revolver was
shipped on August 5, 1880, to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Company
in Chicago, Illinois, in .38 caliber, with a 2 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish,
and hard rubber grips. This was a 24 gun shipment. It features the
scarce and desirable 2 1/2 inch ejectorless Sheriff’s Model barrel and
has the sought after acid etched
panel with “COLT D.A. 38” on the left
side. The top of the barrel is marked
with the two-line Hartford address.
The left of the frame has the three-
line patent date markings. “38 CAL”
marked on the left of the trigger
guard. Matching visible serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap,
with matching “589” on the rear face of the cylinder. Assembly number “266” marked
on the loading gate. It is fitted with a blade front sight, groove top strap rear sight, and
a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colts at the tops.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% original nickel plated finish, with some finish wear
at the muzzle, a few small patches of light surface freckling, and a distinct etched
panel. Grips are very fine, with some minor wear along the bottom edges, and
otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 147
Documented Colt London Agency Marked Model 1878 Double
Action Revolver in Scarce .476 Eley with Factory Letter - Serial no.
15940, 476 Eley cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, checkered walnut
grips. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on
September 17, 1885, to Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms Mfg. Company’s London Agency in
London, England, and confirms the .476 caliber, 7 1/2 inch barrel, and nickel finish
with type of stocks not listed. This was a 30 gun shipment. Only 2,458 of these Model
1878 revolvers were reportedly shipped in .476 caliber, and only 77 were in this
specific configuration, having a 7 1/2 inch barrel length with nickel finish, according to
Don Wilkerson in “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver, Model of 1878” (published 1998, reference
pages 362-369). Wilkerson indicates the first .476 Model 1878 revolver was reportedly shipped to the London Agency
on June 26, 1884, and the last was shipped on October 24, 1898. This is an exceptional example of a Colt Model 1878
revolver made for Colt’s London Agency. Designed by William Mason, Colt’s factory manager, and Charles Brinckerhoff
Richards, 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 top of the barrel is marked with the very
scarce one-line Colt Depot 14 Pall Mall London address. There are British proofs on the bottom
of the barrel and on the cylinder between each chamber. The “476 CAL” caliber marking is on the
left of the trigger guard with some overstruck X’s (reasoning unknown), and the serial number
is marked on the butt. It is fitted with blade front sight, groove top strap rear sight, a pair of
checkered walnut grips, and a lanyard swivel on the butt.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% original nickel plated finish, much of the original
bright niter blue finish on the small components, with some light handling marks, and a
distinct barrel address. Grips are very fine as refinished, with tight fitment, and crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Doug Carlson; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,250 - 5,500
Collector’s Fact
Of the 2,458 chambered in
.476, only 77 were in this
revolver's specific configuration,
according to "Colt's Double-
Action Revolver, Model of
1878" by Don Wilkerson.
LOT 146
Antique Colt Model 1877 Thunderer Double Action
Revolver with Ivory Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no.
100709, 41 Long Colt cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, ivory grips. The accompanying factory letter states this revolver
was shipped in a single gun shipment on October 17, 1895, to Hibbard,
Spencer, Bartlett & Company in Chicago, Illinois, in .41 caliber, with a 6 inch
barrel, blue finish, and type of grips not listed. The revolver is fitted with
period ivory grips. Two-line Hartford address marked on top of the barrel,
with “COLT. D.A. 41” on the left. The left of the frame has the three-line patent
date markings and the circled Rampant Colt. Matching visible serial numbers on the
frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with matching “709” on the rear face of the cylinder,
and assembly number “46” on the loading gate. It is fitted with a blade front sight and
groove top strap rear sight.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 60% original blue finish with smooth brown and gray patina on the balance, 50%
vivid original case colors, some minor surface freckling, some wear to the knurled section of the cylinder pin,
and sharp markings and edges in the metal. Grips are also very fine, slightly oversized replacements, with attractive natural
lightly aged patina, a few minor handling marks, and tight fitment. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Doug Carlson; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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