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LOT 124
Cased Colt London Model 1878 Double Action Revolver in .450 Boxer - Serial no. 3130, 450 Boxer cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1879, the second year of production. This is one of only 1,653 Model 1878s manufactured in .450 Boxer with a 5 1/2 inch barrel and blue finish per Don Wilkerson in “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver” (354). These revolvers in .450 Boxer were often exported to Australia for use by kangaroo hunters as well as shipped to Hudson Bay posts in North America for seal hunters. The barrel has the scarce “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. DEPOT 14 PALL MALL LONDON.” The trigger guard is marked “45 CAL/B,” a marking that was used prior to 1892. London proofs are stamped on the underside of the barrel and behind each cylinder flute. The cylinder is numbered to the gun. The partitioned case has a Colt London paper label on the interior of the lid and contains an empty cartridge block, James Dixon & Sons oiler, cleaning rod, and case key. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 75% plus original blue with smooth brown patina on the balance. The grips are also very fine with some high edge wear, some scattered minor handling marks, and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with minor handling/storage marks, stained label, and some worn lining. Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 125
Cased London
Barrel Address
Colt Model
1877 Lightning
Double Action
Revolver with
Etched Panel -
Serial no. 16488, 38 Long Colt cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hardwood 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. Like the latter, these revolvers were popular in the Old West, and Colt also worked to market them in the United Kingdom where they competed with popular British designs like the Adams and Webley revolvers. This Colt Lightning was manufactured in 1879 for the U.K. market and has a 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. It is fitted with a very attractive, dark hardwood, checkered grip. Includes an oak presentation case with a Colt London Agency label inside the lid.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% of the original blue finish on the back strap and trigger guard, traces of the vibrant original case colors on the frame, and the balance mostly a mottled grey-brown patina and a patch of mild pitting on the loading gate. The cylinder is refinished with pitting visible under the artificially aged patina. The etched panel is faint but visible. The grip is very fine with some light edge wear and a few scattered light blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is also very good with some mild wear, staining, and residue from an old label on the lid.
on the frame, “41 CAL” on the trigger guard, matching serial numbers, and Rampant Colt embossed grips. The Model 1877 revolvers were the first Colt double actions and were designed by William Mason, one of the men responsible for the design of the Colt Single Action Army. The push-button cylinder pin release was later adopted for the Colt Single Action Army,
and the Model 1877s were known to be popular in the West, including being carried by Granville Stuart for personal protection.
CONDITION: Very fine with 98%of the original
nickel remaining on the frame, barrel, and gripstraps. The cylinder has been professionally replated with nearly all remaining and some light pitting visible under the nickel. The grips are excellent and have lightly aged coloration, crisp checkering, and isolated spots of slight wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 126
Very Fine
Acid Etched
Panel Sheriff’s
Model Colt Model
1877 Thunderer
Double Action
Revolver - Serial no.
31887, 41 Long Colt cal.,
3 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. This Colt model 1877 D.A. ejectorless revolver has a rounded blade front sight, the two-line address, etched panel with “COLT D.A. 41” on the left side of the barrel, top strap groove rear sight, three-line patent marking
148 Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500