Lot 3119

SN 31 Colt Sheriff's Model 1877 Lightning with 101 Ranch Holster

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SN 31 Colt Sheriff's Model 1877 Lightning with 101 Ranch Holster

Estimate: $2,500 - $4,000

Starting Bid: $2,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Highly Desirable First Year Production Two-Digit Serial Number "31" Antique Colt Etched Panel Sheriff's Model 1877 Lightning Double Action Revolver with Ivory Grip and S.C. Gallup Holster Marked for the Famous 101 Ranch and John P. Ellington Manufactured in 1877, the first year of production, this is a very fine example of Colt's Model 1877 Lightning revolver in the highly desirable etched panel, ejectorless, Sheriff's Model configuration. These revolvers became highly sought after in the American West as a technological improvement over the renowned Colt "Peacemaker", being capable of double action fire. Though it was coined by the Benjamin Kittredge Company, one of Colt's main distributors, the nickname "Lightning" proved to be a successful marketing campaign for these fast-firing revolvers, leading to significant sales. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address while the left has the highly desirable etched panel. The left of the frame has the three-line patent dates and the caliber marking is repeated on the left rear of the trigger guard. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and butt. It has standard features and is fitted with a highly attractive checkered ivory grip. Included with the revolver is a very attractive S.C. Gallup leather holster. It is said that Gallup was able to set up his shop in Pueblo in 1869 with the help of E.L. Gallatin of Denver, with Gallup later opening locations in Dodge City and Durango, and by 1892 he had formed a partnership with R.T. Frazier, changing the name of the company. The holster is of the double "Mexican loop" pattern, with the maker's mark stamped on each of the loops. The holster shows extensive hand carving with the front marked "MEXICO CITY" inside the throat and "101/RANCH/SHOW", while the back is marked "JOHN P. ELLINGTON/101/RANCH" along with a "JPE" monogram. The front of the body of the holster has light border tooling. The famed 101 Ranch was established in Oklahoma Territory in 1893 and encompassed approximately 110,000 acres, focusing primarily on cattle. In 1903, the running of the ranch was taken over by the three sons of its founder, and they soon moved to establish a Wild West Show similar to that of one of their neighbors, the famous Pawnee Bill. By 1907, the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show became a national touring show, though they had entered the market late, suffering from the emergence of motion pictures. They suffered many setbacks including during an ill-fated European tour just prior to World War I and by 1927 the show was sold off to the American Circus Corporation. John P. Ellington is listed in period newspapers as having been part of the show in the early 1900s, including in the "Evening Vanguard" from Venice, California where he is listed as the original "shoot 'em up" kid, indicating that he was likely a trick shooter of some kind.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1877 Lightning

BBL: 3 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 38 Long Colt

Finish: nickel

Grips: ivory

Serial Number31

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection
  • Condition: Fine, retains 90% plus of the slightly frosted period retailer plated nickel finish and 75% of the bright nitre blue on the screws with some light holster wear and a few scattered patches of light flaking. The grips is very good with moderate handling wear, a few age lines near the bottom, and mostly well-defined checkering. Mechanically functions in single action only. The holster is fine with desirable period 101 Ranch carving and mild wear. A highly desirable two-digit serial number example of Colt's Model 1877 Lightning revolver in Sheriff's Model configuration with a 101 Ranch marked holster!

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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