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MODEL 1877 COLT LIGHTNING REVOLVER – SHIPPED
IN 1879, 3RD YEAR OF PRODUCTION – MODIFIED
BELLY GUN WITH GREAT WESTERN APPEARANCE:
Manufactured in 1879, this early production Model 1877
Colt Lightning .38 Caliber Revolver is a very attractive
piece that would fit well into any Western or Gambling
and Saloon display or collection. Modified to carried
as a “belly gun”, this Lightning has some definite eye
appeal and is evocative of gamblers, road agents and law
men who plied their trades in the saloons and gambling
halls of the Western towns. In order to facilitate
carrying this pistol concealed in the owner’s clothing,
the barrel was cut to just a hair over 1” long and the
hammer spur was cut off. Both alterations were nicely
done and the surface of both show evidence of wear since
the cuts were made, indicating the modifications were
done during the period of use when such a belly gun
would have been necessary and easily carried under a
vest or in a coat pocket.
Featuring
matching serial numbers, the early style one piece grips
and the etched barrel panel, this revolver is documented
in the Colt factory records as having been shipped in
October of 1879 to Schuyler Hartley &Graham with a 3
1/2" barrel. It is well documented and commonly known
that SH&G was one of the major distributors of all makes
of guns during the period of Western Expansion, and the
company shipped to all of the major and some minor
population centers throughout the Western states and
territories. Mechanically this one is crisp and the
timing is good. The only quirk it has is the trigger
return spring seems to hang on occasion, leaving the
trigger in the rear position, but with a flick of your
finger tip, the trigger snaps back into battery and is
otherwise crisp. I suspect it may just be in need of a
cleaning. The bore is bright and the rifling clear and
strong, and chambers are likewise all bright with some
very minor scattered light pitting. The photos
accurately reflect the condition with no hidden
blemishes or problems that I've noted.
These early Model 1877's are not particularly common,
and those I have seen of late are either used up or in
such high condition it is doubtful they saw the west,
but none of them have the combination of eye appeal and
sense of Western history I believe this one has.
SOLD
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