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LOT 161
Excellent Colt Model 1877 Thunderer Double Action Revolver - Serial no.
131186, 41 Long Colt cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard
rubber grips. Manufactured in 1902. This is an excellent example of a Colt Model 1877
Thunderer revolver. Though the nicknames “Rainmaker,” (.32 caliber) “Lightning,” (.38 caliber)
and “Thunderer” (.41 caliber) are all excellent marketing material, they were not names ever actually used
by Colt. These nicknames are believed to have been coined by the famous Colt distributor, Benjamin Kittredge, who is also believed to have
been responsible for giving the Single Action Army its iconic nickname, “Peacemaker.” This revolver has the two-line Hartford address on
the top of the barrel and “COLT. D.A. 41” caliber designation on the left. The left side of the frame is marked with the three-line/three-patent
dates followed by the circled Rampant Colt, with a “bullseye” ejector rod head, large half moon blade front and frame notch rear sights, blue
finish with casehardened frame, niter blue trigger and hammer with polished sides, and is fitted with checkered hard rubber grips with the
Rampant Colt trademark at the tops. The matching serial number is marked on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with assembly number “396”
on the loading gate. Includes a consignor supplied data sheet.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus bright original blue finish, 99% captivating original case colors, with some minor thinning on the ejector housing and back strap, a few small
patches of minor surface oxidation on the cylinder, and absolutely sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Grips are also excellent, with tight fitment, a brown appearance on the
right grip, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A high condition Colt Model 1877 Thunderer revolver that would be difficult to improve upon!
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 160
Exceptional Colt Bisley Model Single Action
Army Revolver in .38 W.C.F. - Serial no. 264601, 38 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips.
Manufactured in 1905. Offered here is a highly attractive and exceptional example of a Colt Bisley Model Single Action Army
revolver. The Colt Bisley model was designed by Colt with accuracy and target shooting in mind and only manufactured between
1894-1915, per “The Book of Colt Firearms” (1971 publication) by Sutherland and Wilson. According to “The 36 Calibers of the Colt
Single Action Army” by David Brown, only 12,163 Bisley Models were chambered in .38 W.C.F., making them relatively scarce compared
to many configurations of the Single Action Army. For many, the Bisley feels better in the hand and cocks and fires easier thanks to its lower
and wider hammer and the wider trigger, making them excellent sidearms for serious marksmen. The revolver has the distinctive Bisley
Model features which include the higher frame, humpback grip area, curved hammer with wide knurled spur, and wide trigger. The barrel
has the one-line Hartford address on top and “(BISLEY MODEL) 38 W.C.F.” on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent date markings followed by an
encircled Rampant Colt logo. Blade front sight and frame notch rear sight. Fitted with two-piece checkered hard rubber humpback grips with the Rampant Colt logo at the
tops. Matching visible serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with assembly number “9080” on the loading gate.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus bright original high polish blue finish, 95% brilliant original case colors, with minor muzzle wear, some flaking on the cylinder, thinning on the grip straps, some
smooth brown freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Grips are also excellent, with tight fitment, minimal handling marks, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This excellent
Colt Bisley Model Single Action Army revolver would make a fine addition to any Colt firearms collection!
Provenance: The Tom Selleck Collection.
Estimate: 8,000 - 13,000
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