Colt 1877 (Lightning)
Caliber 38 colt
Action Revolver DA (Double Action)
Cartridge Modern Cartridge
History
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 Colt. Both models had a six-round ammunition capacity. An earlier model in .32 Colt known as the "Rainmaker" was offered in 1877.
​
The "Lightning" was the favored personal weapon of famous Manchester (UK) Victorian detective and then head of CID, Jerome Caminada. Old West outlaw John Wesley Hardin frequently used both "Lightning" and "Thunderer" versions of the Colt 1877 revolver. Likewise the 1877 "Thunderer" in .41 caliber was the preferred weapon of Billy the Kid and was his weapon of choice when he was killed by Pat Garrett in 1881.
​
This colt has been authenticated by the Colt Records. Made around 1882 and sent to the Colt Office London on 20th March 1882. It would be nice to link this gun with the Victorian detectives.
​
​