{"product_id":"original-u-s-colt-m1877-38cal-nickel-plated-lightning-revolver-made-in-1895-with-replacement-3-1-2-barrel-serial-97735","title":"Original U.S. Colt M1877 .38cal Nickel-Plated Lightning Revolver made in 1895 with Replacement 3 1\/2\" Barrel - Serial 97735","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available The romance around Colt \"Cowboy\" Revolvers never ceases to amaze us. This is a fine nickel-plated example of the Model 1877 \"Lightning\" Double Action .38 Caliber Revolver. It is marked on the bottom of the frame and trigger guard with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e97735\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating it was made in \u003cstrong\u003e1895\u003c\/strong\u003e. The markings on the bottom of the cylinder and back of the cylinder are no longer present, possibly either because they were replaced or the numbers wore away. It also is marked on the loading gate with assembly number \u003cb\u003e340\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example has a nice early 20th Century replacement 3 1\/2\" barrel, and looks to have been nickel plated post manufacture, or possibly had the nickel plate re-done after the original plating wore away. It is still marked on the top of the barrel with the Colt address:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAT'D AUG. 5.1884 JUNE 5.1900 JULY 4.1905\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe prancing pony on the left side of the frame has unfortunately worn away, however it still has all of the original patent markings:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAT. SEPT 19.1871.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e''   ''   5.    '' 74.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e ''  JAN.19.   '' 75.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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. This example is marked \u003cstrong\u003eCOLT. D.A. 38 \u003c\/strong\u003eon the left side of the barrel, so it is definitely a \"Lightning.\" There is also \u003cstrong\u003eN 698\u003c\/strong\u003e stamped onto the bottom of the barrel right by the cylinder arbor pin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe purchased this revolver as a \"LIGHTNING\" and it is in fine working order and condition. This revolver was nickel plated at some point, which is still very well retained. There is some wear through and flaking on the cylinder and other parts of the revolver, but overall it presents very nicely. Its bird's head gutta-percha grips bear the Colt prancing horse logo on each side. The grip scales do show some wear and scratches, with the logo's faint and the checkering completely worn away in areas. However there are no cracks, chips, or chunks missing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver functions correctly, with good indexing and a tight cylinder lockup. It works in both single and double action, and we did not notice any of the usual finicky behavior we often see. The bore is in good condition, showing clear lands and grooves with a partly bright finish, but also areas of fouling and oxidation. This barrel definitely looks to have seen a good amount of use after being replaced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \"Lightning\" was the favored personal weapon of famous Manchester (UK) Victorian detective and then head of CID, Jerome Caminada. Old West outlaw John Wesley Hardin frequently used both \"Lightning\" and \"Thunderer\" versions of the Colt 1877 revolver. Likewise the 1877 \"Thunderer\" in .41 caliber was the preferred weapon of Billy the Kid and was his weapon of choice when he was killed by Pat Garrett in 1881.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fine example of an early Cartridge Colt Revolver in .38 caliber in very nice condition with a factory replacement barrel. An ANTIQUE made in 1895, ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1895\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: .38 \"Long\" Colt\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 3 1\/2 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 9 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction: Single\/Double Action\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: 6 Shot Revolver\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40626223218757,"sku":"ONJR23HA036","price":1995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR23HA036__01.jpg?v=1693003893","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-colt-m1877-38cal-nickel-plated-lightning-revolver-made-in-1895-with-replacement-3-1-2-barrel-serial-97735","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}