Colt revolver

[pistolpete95]

Need opinions on what looks like an older or poorly kept Colt pistol. From the barrel stamp I’m guessing chambered in 38 Long Colt. I thought it was an old gun but the grip gives me pause. Wasn’t the birds head grip a 20th century design? Researching for a friend.

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

Looks like a Colt Lightning to me. I believe it was a model 1877...DA variant of the SAA. The Thunderer was chambered in .41 cal.

I thought they all had birds head grips. That gun could be fairly valuable.

 

[pistolpete95]

Thanks. That helps.

 

[rhart]

I've got one in in .41 cal. Model 1877 Colt double action.

 

[JEVapa]

That’s a Colt Lightning. It’s not poorly kept, it’s old AF. That’s probably a 19th century gun by the patina. And the grips look very correct for a first gen Lightening. They did have a type of plastic then. Very very nice.

Whatever you and your friend do, don’t make it better. Don’t sand it, don’t polish it, blue it, refinish it or anything like that or you wipe out its value…almost all of it.
It looks completely original.

Go here and plug the SN and you’ll see when it was made.

https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

^^ You forgot to mention don't 'engrave your name on it'...

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

They were only made from 1877 to 1909. So chances are good it was made some time in the late 1800s. Very nice gun. But it looks like the old black powder and time haven't been kind to it. Way cool...

 

[caliberbob]

They were only made from 1877 to 1909. So chances are good it was made some time in the late 1800s. Very nice gun. But it looks like the old black powder and time haven't been kind to it. Way cool...

Any idea how many there might be? At this point in time it seems like just having one in any condition would be extremely rare. Way cool is right!

 

[pistolpete95]

More Colt eye candy.

 

[sushi & pistols]

Here is My Colt Model 1877 from 1886. I believe this is what you have. They came in a Nickel and case hardened frame with blue barrel. There were a few made in .32 colt nicknamed (rain) .38 Colt (Lightning) and .41 Colt (Thunderer)