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LOT 1114
Extremely Rare Documented London Agency Shipped Antique Colt Sheriff’s Model
1877 “Rainmaker” .32 Double Action Revolver with Very Scarce 5 Inch Barrel, Ivory Grips, and
Factory Letter - Serial no. 108971, 32 Colt cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, ivory grips. The
accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as shipped in a single gun shipment on April 14, 1898, to Colt’s London
Agency in London, England, with caliber listed as “.32/c on a .38/c Frame”, barrel listed as 5 inch without ejector, blue
finish, and ivory grips. This is one of only approximately 200 of Colt’s Model 1877 revolver that were chambered in .32
Long Colt and nicknamed the “Rainmaker,” per Sutherland and Wilson on page 325 of “The Book of Colt Firearms”. Making
this specific example even more rare, is the fact that it is in Sheriff’s Model configuration, having a 5 inch barrel and no
ejector, and this is the only example of a Sheriff’s Model “Rainmaker” with a factory documented ejectorless 5 inch barrel we
have ever sold to date at Rock Island Auction Company. 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.” The top
of the barrel is marked with the two-line Hartford address, with “COLT. D.A. 32” on the left. The left of the frame has the three-line patent date markings
and the circled Rampant Colt. London proofs on the barrel and cylinder. Matching visible serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with
unnumbered cylinder, and assembly number “180” on the loading gate. Blade front sight and groove top strap rear sight, with an extra screw behind the standard butt screw
as possibly a provision for a lanyard ring (not included).
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% original blue finish, 20% original case colors on the frame, with smooth brown patina on the balance, light freckling, and sharp markings. Grips
are very fine, with defined edges, minor handling marks, and attractive natural patina. Mechanically excellent. This Colt Sheriff’s Model 1877 “Rainmaker” .32 revolver with a 5
inch barrel is an extreme rarity in Colt collecting, and this is certainly a missing piece from even the most advanced collections.
Provenance: Douglas R. Carlson; The Harper Collection; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 1113
Exceptional First Year Production
Cased London Agency Shipped
Colt Model 1878 Double Action
Revolver in “.45 Eley Short” - Serial
no. 564, 45 Eley Short cal., 5 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The copy of
the factory letter lists this early Model 1878
revolver in a shipment of 56 guns of this type
in “.45 Eley Short” with blue finish and a 5 1/2 inch
barrel when shipped to Colt’s London Agency at 14 Pall
Mall on September 26, 1878. It has been theorized that the “Short” cartridge designation was a recording error/misinterpretation based on Colt’s agent Von
Oppen ordering “short” revolvers. This revolver and the others we have sold that are lettered as “.45 Eley Short” have “short” 5 1/2 inch barrels rather than
“long” 7 1/2 inch barrels. Note: the caliber marking on the left side of the trigger guard is “45 CAL/B” which suggest .450 Boxer ammunition which was the
standard English service cartridge until 1880. It also has standard blade and groove/notch sights, “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. DEPOT 14
PALL MALL LONDON.” on top of the barrel, small London proofs on the barrel and cylinder, the matching early serial number “564” on the cylinder as well
as the loading gate and butt, checkered walnut grips hand numbered to the gun, and a lanyard loop on the butt. The included oak case matches others with
London Agency shipped Colt revolvers and has a London trade label inside, an L-shaped combination tool and cartridge block.
CONDITION: Very fine with 80% plus bright original high polish blue finish remaining, finish loss mainly due to flaking on the cylinder which has light brown patina, bright
hammer sides, and crisp markings. The grips are also very fine with most of the original varnish, crisp checkering, scattered minor dings and scrapes, and a chip on the left lower
panel, near the heel. Mechanically excellent. The case is also very fine and has mild storage wear including some slight chips at the corners. Overall, this is a very attractive, early,
London shipped Colt Model 1878.
Estimate: 7,000 - 9,000