Lot 1079

Early Serial Number "3" Colt Sheriff's Model Lightning Revolver

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Early Serial Number "3" Colt Sheriff's Model Lightning Revolver

Estimate: $9,500 - $16,000

Starting Bid: $8,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Highly Desirable Well-Documented Extremely Early Production Serial Number "3" Antique Colt Sheriff's Model Lightning Double Action Revolver, Featured in "The Book of Colt Firearms" Offered here is one of the very first Colt Lightning double action revolvers off the production line in the introductory year of 1877, bearing the extremely early serial number "3". This is the lowest serial numbered Colt Lightning ever witnessed by Rock Island Auction Company. It features the scarce and desirable ejectorless Sheriff's Model barrel. The Colt Model 1877 revolver was the company's first double action revolver and the first commercially successful American-made double action revolver. These revolvers were designed by William Mason who had become the superintendent of Colt's armory in 1866 after having worked for Remington. The Single Action Army saw widespread success, particularly in the American West, but it is likely that Colt began to see some of their market share being taken by imported British double actions, often referred to as "Bulldogs", which had begun to appear on the American market as early as 1873 from manufacturers such as Webley. In response, Colt turned to Mason, who essentially redesigned his prolific Single Action Army into a double action variation. The design became known as the Model 1877, being unleashed on the market that year, eventually being offered in three different calibers, each of which was given an attention-grabbing nickname. These revolvers came to be known as the "Rainmaker" (.32 caliber), "Lightning" (.38 caliber), and "Thunderer" (.41 caliber). The nicknames were excellent marketing material and were used by famous Colt distributor Benjamin Kittredge who is also credited with giving the Single Action Army its iconic nickname "Peacemaker". The Model 1877 saw commercial success and popularity in the American West, but it had a shorter production run than the Colt Single Action Army as Colt introduced additional double action revolver designs. Two included Colt archive letters both state the shipment record was unable to be located for this serial number "3" revolver. One of the included archive letters is addressed to the famous collector Richard Marohn M.D., and the other to Charles Marx. This exact revolver is pictured and described on page 324 of "The Book of Colt Firearms" by R.L. Wilson, where the caption indicates it was part of the Robert Q. Sutherland collection at the time. It has a strong pedigree as having been formerly owned by some of the most well-respected names in Colt collecting. It is very possible this revolver may have originally been presented to a Colt employee or influential person, or kept by the factory, as this was not an unusual occurrence for single-digit Colt revolvers from the first run of major models. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line Colt Hartford address. The left of the frame has the three-line patent date markings. "38 CAL" is marked on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. The matching visible serial number "3" is marked on the bottom of the barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt, rear of the cylinder, and loading gate. It has a German silver halfmoon blade front sight and groove top strap rear sight, and is wearing a one-piece checkered rosewood grip.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1877

BBL: 3 5/8 inch round

Gauge: 38 Long Colt

Finish: blue/casehardened

Grips: rosewood

Serial Number3

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Robert Q. Sutherland Collection; The Richard Marohn M.D. Collection; The Charles Marx Collection
  • Condition: Fine, retains 40% original blue finish, 20% original case colors, with smooth gray patina on the balance, period slightly shortened barrel with scuffs on top, some minor pitting, and distinct markings. The grip is also fine, with some small dents and handling marks, a few small chips in the left toe, and defined checkering. Mechanically functions. This is a rare opportunity to acquire this extremely early production serial number "3" Colt Model 1877 Sheriff's Model Lightning revolver!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000