Colt Model 1877 Thunderer .41 Colt 2½” Double Action Revolver, Antique 1878
SOLD FOR: $1,382.00
LSB#: LSB250824RD009
Make: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company
Model: 1877 Thunderer
Serial Number: 24248
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1878 (Antique – manufactured prior to 1899)
Caliber: .41 Colt
Action Type: Double-Action Revolver with Fixed Ejector Rod Housing and Side Loading Gate
Markings:
The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871. / JULY. 2. 72. / JAN. 19. 75.”. The serial number “24248” is found on the frame, trigger guard, and backstrap. The left grip panel bears the molded Rampant Colt logo.
Barrel Length: 2½ Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small half-moon blade integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a groove cut into the top strap of the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition:
The grips are original, checkered brown hard rubber panels with the Rampant Colt emblem. They show mild age wear, softening and light handling marks but remain well-fit and free of major cracks or losses.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition:
The bore is lightly frosted with strong, defined rifling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition:
This revolver retains approximately 20% of its original blue finish, with the balance showing smooth brown patina and scattered light oxidation. The screw heads are serviceable, and all legends remain clear. The hammer and trigger retain traces of original case color. This example shows honest period handling and age consistent with its frontier-era production.
Mechanics:
The revolver functions correctly in both single-and double-action modes. Cylinder lockup is slightly loose, and timing is consistent. There is a chunky sound when the hammer slaps forward. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Our Assessment:
The Colt Model 1877 “Thunderer” was a milestone in firearms evolution—Colt’s first commercial double-action revolver and among the earliest truly practical DAs in America. Designed by William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards, it blended the profile of the Peacemaker with the new self-cocking mechanism that brought faster firepower to the post-Civil War West.
Chambered in .41 Long Colt, the Thunderer delivered stout defensive energy for its compact size. Its balance and punch made it a favorite among travelers, saloon keepers, and even a few famous outlaws—Billy the Kid reportedly carried one. The short 2½-inch barrel on this example evokes those discreet sidearms tucked into vests or coat pockets on dusty rail platforms and riverboats of the 1870s.
Every Colt Thunderer tells part of the story of America’s westward transformation—from horse trails to telegraph lines, from black powder to metallic cartridges. This compact survivor remains both mechanically functional and historically resonant—a tangible artifact from the dawn of the double-action era and the guns that shaped it.
KF
