May 23rd 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/22/2015
This early Lightning was manufactured in 1877 in the first year of manufacture. It is a Sheriff's Model, sans ejector, with a 3-1/2" blued etched panel barrel, chambered for the .38 long Colt cartridge, with blued cylinder and grips straps, case colored frame, and fine checkered rosewood grips (all standard for a first year model). The etched panel is original and bold and the barrel retains approximately 30% of the original factory blue finish, with some marring on the right side. The cylinder is basically a blue-grey patina with some bright blue in the flutes and some marring on a couple of the flats as well. Left side of the frame retains approximately 35% of the original case colors, some brilliant, while right side of the frame retains some traces of case colors. Backstrap and trigger guard are basically gun metal grey. Missing the front trigger guard screw. The butt screw is boogered. Original checkered rosewood grips are excellent with sharp checkering. Hammer does not stay cocked and the cylinder does not advance. Fine rifling, bore needs cleaning. With a little work on the action and two screws, this would be a fine example of an extremely scarce First Model Lightning.