Colt Model 1877 Thunderer .41 Double Action Revolver, MFD 1890 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1526
LSB#: 210918MW35
Make: Colt
Model: 1877 Thunderer
Serial Number: 76082
Year of Manufacture: 1890 (COLT Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .41 Colt
Action Type: Single Action/Double Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
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 / “ “ 15, “ 74. / JAN. 19, “ 75.”. The underside of the frame at the grip frame, the front of the trigger guard just behind it and the front underside edge of the backstrap are marked “76082”. The rear of the loading gate has assembly number “598”. The rear of the cylinder is marked “82”.
Barrel Length: 4 1/2”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are checkered black hard rubber on a bird’s head grip frame, with a Rampant Colt in an oval at the top of each panel. Lower edges have balded a bit and the smooth edges have intermittent minor nicks and a few compressions. The checkering is well defined. Overall, the grips rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is rather dark with well-defined rifling where not interrupted by erosion. There is scattered light erosion and pitting throughout the bore.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 5% of its current metal finish. No case color is present and for the most part the metal has begun the shift to patina. There are light nicks and spots of surface erosion throughout. There are tool marks around some screw heads but slots are sharp. The markings range from clear to lightly worn and incomplete, the barrel’s caliber marking is not present, nor is a rampant colt logo. Overall, this revolver is in Good condition, as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with no play. The double action trigger is fairly smooth, a little heavy. The single action is crisp. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Colt M1877 was a double action revolver manufactured by Colt’s Patent Fire Arms from January 1877 to 1909 for a total of 166,849 revolvers. The Model 1877 was offered in three calibers, which lent them three unofficial names: the “Lightning”, the “Thunderer”, and the “Rainmaker”. The principal difference between the models was the cartridge in which they were chambered: the “Lightning” being chambered in .38 Long Colt; the “Thunderer” in .41 Long Colt. An earlier model in .32 Colt known as the “Rainmaker” was offered in 1877. The M1877 was designed by one of the inventors of the M1873 Colt Single Action Army, William Mason, as Colt’s first attempt at manufacturing a double-action revolver and was also the first successful US-made double-action cartridge revolver. Neither “Lightning” nor “Thunderer” were Colt designations, nor used by the factory in any reference materials. Both terms were coined by Benjamin Kittredge, one of Colt’s major distributors, who was also responsible for the term “Peacemaker” for the Single Action Army. Old West Outlaw John Wesley Hardin frequently used both “Lightning” and “Thunderer” versions of the Colt 1877 revolver. This Thunderer looks like it has seen a fair amount of use in the last 131 years, but retains serial-matching parts, a relatively decent bore for its age and good mechanics. Regardless, this would be a great addition to a Colt collection. Please see our photos and good luck!