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SERIAL NUMBER 160
LOT 1135
Exceptional Documented London Agency Cased Early First Year Production Three-Digit
Serial Number 160 Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 160, 450 Boxer cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The factory letter lists this revolver in “.45 Eley” with a 5 1/2
inch barrel and blue finish when it was part of a shipment of
50 of these revolvers shipped to Colt’s London Agency at 14
Pall Mall on July 29, 1878. “.45 Eley” and “.45 Boxer” appear to
have been used interchangeably by Colt as is clearly shown
on this revolver which letters in “.45 Eley” but is marked “.45
CAL/B” on the left side of the trigger guard. There are also
several other names for the official designated “.450 Boxer
Mk I” cartridge that was adopted for the centerfire Adams
revolvers in 1868, including “.450 Colt.” The barrel has the
scarce “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. DEPOT
14 PALL MALL LONDON” address and has a blade front sight.
Only 1,653 Model 1878s were manufactured in .450 Boxer
with a 5 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish per Don Wilkerson in “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver” on p. 354. London proofs are stamped on the underside of the barrel and behind each cylinder flute. The cylinder, loading gate, toe, and both grip panels have matching serial numbers. The partitioned oak case features green baize lining, a Colt London Agency trader label on the interior of the lid, an L-shaped screwdriver, a cleaning rod, and a 21-round cartridge block with 6 fired cartridge cases and 13 cartridges with various head stamps, including some from Eley.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 85% plus bright original high polish blue finish, some flaked areas displaying smooth brown patina, and generally only light age and storage related wear. The grips are excellent and have crisp checkering, nearly all of the high polish finish, and minor handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very fine and have minor age and storage related wear. This is a very impressive Colt London Agency cased Model 1878 DA revolver from the first year of production.
Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1136
Desirable London Agency Cased and Marked Colt Model 1877 Lightning
Double Action Revolver with Acid Etched Panel - Serial no. 37040, 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. Colt also worked
to market them in the United Kingdom where double action revolvers were already more widely in use thanks to the Adams and Tranter revolvers and
the newer Webley revolvers. This Colt Lightning was manufactured in 1882 for the U.K. market and has a nickel-silver half-moon style front sight, “COLT D.A. 38” in an etched
panel on the left side of the barrel, “COLT PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A./DEPOT 14. PALL MALL LONDON.” on top of the barrel, the three patent dates on the left side of the action, and “38 CAL” on the left side of the trigger guard. Matching serial numbers
are on the back of the cylinder (partial), frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The bottom of the
barrel and cylinder behind each flute have London proof marks. The right side of the trigger guard
has a “M3898” marking, and there is another unclear marking stamped below the cylinder on the right side of the
frame (looks like multiple attempts to strike an “N”). It comes in a very attractive oak case with a Colt London Agency label
inside the lid, green baize lining, a full cartridge block, and a blank Wells, Fargo & Co. envelope.
CONDITION: Very fine with a distinct etched panel, 90% plus of the vibrant original case colors remaining, bright sides on the hammer, 60% original
blue finish with smooth brown patina on the flaked areas, and generally minor overall wear. The grips are excellent and have crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is also very fine and has minor age and storage related wear. Overall, this is a very fine and attractive London Agency cased Colt Model 1877 Lightning revolver. Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection.
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Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500