May 23rd 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/22/2015
This fine revolver has all the more desirable features including scarce 2-1/2" barrel, etched panel, nickel plated, gutta percha grips, chambered for the .38 long Colt cartridge. According to the factory letter this gun was shipped on September 26th, 1882 in a shipment of ten guns to B. Kittredge Co. in Cincinnati. They are the company credited with coining the terminology used by collectors today in the first advertisements titling this revolver "The Lightning". Factory letter confirms the gun's current configuration. Manufactured in 1882. The etched panel is near perfect, overall the gun retains 95% or better of the original factory nickel finish with a hint of patina on grip straps and a couple of minor spots. Back of the hammer retains all of the fire blue. Action works fine. Bore is mint. There is some flaking on the face of the cylinder, but shows no signs of having been fired (i.e. no powder burn). Extremely fine and scarce Colt Lightning.