September 10-12, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/10/2024
The Colt letter lists this gun as a .38 Colt, nickel finish, and rubber grips, with barrel length not listed, as shipped on June 5th, 1877, to Schuyler, Hartley, and Graham in a shipment of 8 guns. This is a so called Sheriff's model without any ejector rod. This first year Lightning wears the very rare and short-lived one-piece checkered Colt gutta percha grips. Another very early feature is the SAA style front sight. There is no front grip strap spring screw either, another early feature. Revolver is finished in standard Colt nickel. The hammer has polished sides with peacock fire blue on top and back. The trigger, screws, and cylinder pin head are fire blued. The barrel has the standard acid etched panel that reads "COLT DA 38". Small two line barrel legend at top. The left side of frame has the three line patent date legend. Matching numbers on frame, cylinder, barrel, backstrap, and trigger guard. The picture box is of the earliest style with a drawing of the cartridge under the pony. Caliber and barrel length are printed on the face with drawing of a sheriffs model with no grip screw. The box is maroon and features a pink inside lid label with a description of the Colt 38 & 41 reloading tools. CONDITION: Excellent. The rare grips are crisp, as new. Majority of screws retain strong fire blue as does back of hammer & trigger. The fire blue is thinning a bit on top of hammer. The etched panel is crisp. This gun retains virtually all of the factory nickel but does show some of the usual handling marks common with this finish. The cylinder shows some spots of high edge wear and some scattered light handling abrasions. The action works in both single and double action, the cylinder displays some light face burn, and the bore is bright. The scarce early original box pink top label is clear and vivid. Label does show some age toning, some edge chipping, and some cracks. All aprons are complete but one corner is separated. The matching serial number is written on base with pencil. The inside pink Colt label is intact and bright.