Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Colt Model 1877 double action revolver in .38 Colt, commonly known to collectors as the “Lightning,” with a 4 1/2" barrel, factory style nickel plated finish, and matching serial number 108128, dating manufacture to 1898. It retains substantial original plating, Colt hard rubber bird’s head grips, clear factory markings, and a mechanically functional but somewhat finicky action.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Model 1877 was Colt’s first double action revolver design and was produced in several chamberings and configurations. The .38 Colt version became widely known as the “Lightning,” although that name was a commercial nickname rather than an official Colt model designation.

This example is serial numbered:

108128

on the bottom of the grip frame, frame, and trigger guard, indicating production in 1898. The loading gate is marked with assembly number:

373

The rear of the cylinder is worn and no serial number can presently be made out. Its overall wear and finish are consistent with long association with the revolver, but an original matching cylinder cannot be confirmed from the surviving markings.

The 4 1/2" barrel is marked on the top:

COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. Co.
HARTFORD. CT. U. S. A.

The left side of the barrel is marked:

COLT. D.A. 38

and the underside near the cylinder base pin is additionally stamped:

38

The left side of the frame retains the circular Colt "Prancing Pony" trademark introduced in 1891 and the patent date marking:

PAT. SEPT 19.1871.
''    ''    5.    '' 74.
''   JAN.19.    '' 75.

The nickel plated finish remains well retained at approximately 75% overall. The barrel retains particularly strong plating with only minor loss near the muzzle, while the frame remains very good with wear through on the left recoil shield and scattered additional areas. The cylinder, hammer, and right side of the trigger guard show greater finish loss and wear.

The bird’s head hard rubber grips retain the Colt Prancing Pony motif on both sides. The checkering shows moderate wear and there are scattered light scratches, but no cracks or chips are visible.

Mechanically, the revolver presently functions in both single and double action, with generally good indexing and a tight cylinder lockup. The action is somewhat finicky, however. The trigger return spring is weak and does not always return the trigger fully forward, and in double action the cylinder can occasionally over rotate before locking. These observations describe only the present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the revolver is safe to load or fire.

The bore remains in good condition with clear rifling, though it shows substantial evidence of old fouling and oxidation. There are localized areas of past rust erosion, consistent with a revolver that saw considerable use and was not always cleaned promptly after firing.

With its 1898 production date, matching frame, trigger guard, and grip frame serial number 108128, .38 Colt chambering, 4 1/2" barrel, substantial nickel plated finish, Colt hard rubber grips, clear barrel and frame markings, and functioning single and double action mechanism, this is an appealing late production Model 1877 “Lightning.” The unverified cylinder matching status, finish loss, weak trigger return spring, occasional double action over rotation, and bore oxidation are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Colt Model 1877, Lightning, early double action Colt, Old West, or advanced 19th century American firearms collection.

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: 1898
Maker: Colt's Patent Firearms Mfg. Co.
Model: Open Top Pocket Model .22
Serial No.: 108128
Caliber: .38 "Long" Colt
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 4 ½ inches
Overall Length: 10 inches
Action: Single/Double Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

The M1877 was offered from the factory in two basic finishes: nickel-plated or a case-hardened frame with a blue barrel and cylinder. The revolver was available in barrel lengths from 2.5" to 7.5" and was available with or without the ejector rod and housing. The shorter barreled versions without the ejector rod were marketed as "shopkeeper's specials".

The M1877 revolvers were marketed under different names such as "LIGHTNING" to appeal to different groups of customers. Although all were of the same basic design, they were also referred to as "THUNDERERS", "RAINMAKERS", and SHERIFF'S MODELS" as well, depending on the caliber and configuration. None of these names were Colt designations, nor used by the factory in any reference materials of the time. All of these terms were coined by Benjamin Kittredge, one of Colt's major distributors. Kittredge was responsible for the terms "Peacemaker" for the Single Action Army, "Omnipotent" for the Colt M1878 double-action (often known as the "Frontier" model), and nicknames for the various chamberings of the New Line models.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.