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LOT 1140
Desirable Documented Territory
of New Mexico Shipped
Factory Engraved Colt
Model 1878 Double Action
Revolver with Pearl Grips and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 16847, 45 Long Colt
cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish,
pearl grips. The included factory letter lists this revolver in .45 caliber with a 4 3/4 inch barrel,
nickel finish, pearl grips, and factory engraving and indicates it was the sole gun of this type in
a shipment to E. J. Post & Company in Albuquerque, Territory of New Mexico, on March 29, 1886.
E. J. Post & Co. were wholesale hardware retailers and were a notable destination for Colts headed to the American Southwest in the
late 19th century. “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver Model of 1878” by Don Wilkerson provides detailed insights into the number of Model
1878s engraved by the factory. On pages 194-195, the author indicates his survey found just 284 Model 1878s were factory engraved. On pages
227-228, he indicates of the factory engraved revolvers, 140 were in .45 Colt, only 59 Model 1878s in .45 Colt had factory engraving and ejectors,
5 have 4 3/4 inch barrels, and only 3 were in .45 Colt with 4 3/4 inch barrels and nickel finish making this an exceptionally scarce example. The
revolver features stunning factory engraving typical of the Model 1878s engraved under Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht. The barrel displays
classic scrollwork with beaded backgrounds along with border designs around the barrel address and lined designs between the address and blade
front sight. The frame features a design around the hammer screw on the left formed by wavy lines and surrounded by scrollwork as well as wavy line
borders, dot accents, and “Nimschke star” designs on the right and left at the front of the frame. The cylinder has scroll, wavy line, and dot
designs. The left side of the trigger guard at the front is marked “45 CAL”. “6847” is on the rear of the cylinder, and the full serial number
“16/847” is on the toe ahead of the lanyard loop. Assembly number “258” is on the loading gate, and “403” is stamped on the left side of
the back strap at the heel. The revolver is fitted with smooth pearl grips. An included tag indicates the revolver was purchased by Charles
Marx at the October 5, 2001, Colt Show from Carlson (presumably well-known Colt dealer Douglas R. Carlson).
CONDITION: Fine with generally crisp engraving, a mix of original nickel plating and smooth gray patina on much of the metal, strong
original nitre blue on the small parts, and mild overall wear. The grips are very fine with attractive natural iridescence, small flakes, at the
edges, and light handling wear. Mechanically needs work.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 7,000 - 12,000
LOT 1141
Scarce Documented
Factory Engraved,
Acid Etched Panel Antique Colt Sheriff’s
Model 1877 Thunderer Double Action Revolver
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 23054, 41 Long Colt cal., 2 1/2 inch round
bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. The accompanying factory letter states this
revolver was shipped on February 15, 1884, to Simmons Hardware Company in St.
Louis, Missouri, the gateway to the west, and confirms its current configuration as factory
engraved in .41 caliber, with a scarce 2 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, and hard rubber stocks. This was a 5
gun shipment. This highly attractive Colt Sheriff’s Model Thunderer revolver features highly desirable
factory engraving, decorated in a leafy scroll pattern on beaded backgrounds along with some
zig-zag line and dot borders on the barrel sides, cylinder flats, and frame. 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”. “Thunderer” is certainly an apt nickname for this Sheriff’s Model, with it packing the punch of double action .41
Long Colt in a revolver small enough to fit in a large pocket. A desirable acid etched panel with “COLT D.A. 41” is featured on the left side of the ejectorless barrel. The top of the barrel is
stamped with the two-line Colt Hartford address. Blade front sight, groove top strap rear sight. “41 CAL” marked on the left side of the trigger guard. The left side of the frame has three-
line patent date markings. Matching visible serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% original nickel plated finish with smooth gray
patina on the balance and some charming frontier freckling, and highly attractive crisp
engraving overall. Grips are also very fine, with highly attractive fiery colors, slightly
undersized replacements, with defined edges. Mechanically excellent. An attractive
factory engraved Colt Sheriff’s Model 1877 Thunderer revolver!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,500
Collector’s Fact
Of the 284 factory engraved Colt Model 1878
revolvers, only 3 were in .45 Long Colt with 4 3/4 inch
barrels and nickel finish, according to "Colt's Double-
Action Revolver Model of 1878" by Don Wilkerson.
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