Lot 49

Colt Model 1877 Thunderer Double Action Revolver

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Colt Model 1877 Thunderer Double Action Revolver

Estimate: $9,000 - $15,000

Starting Bid: $8,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Excellent and Highly Desirable Documented San Francisco, California Shipped Colt Model 1877 Thunderer Double Action Revolver with Box and Factory Letter In the late 1800s and early 1900s, San Francisco, California was described as "the Paris of the West", having become a vibrant and culturally significant city in the American West, much of which remained to be "tamed". For many Americans of this period seeking to settle in the West, San Francisco was their gateway to it, whether by ship or by train. According to period newspapers, Brittain & Co., where this revolver was shipped, was established in San Francisco around 1852, initially advertising as a butcher shop and stock dealer. By the 1870s, the company was advertising as a jeweler, which appears to have continued into the very early 20th century, often advertising various jewelry, watches, Shriners spoons, and other gold and silver items. These advertisements as a jewelry dealer continued until 15 April 1906. Just three days later, the city of San Francisco was struck by a violent earthquake originating from the San Andreas Fault, destroying buildings, rupturing water lines, and starting fires that burned out of control for days. When the dust and smoke cleared, approximately 80% of the thriving city had been destroyed. On 5 May 1906, just a couple weeks later, the advertisements reappeared in the "San Francisco Chronicle", now advertising at a location just twelve blocks away with "Builders' and General Hardware, Carpenters' and Masons' Tools, Sherwin & Williams Paint, Stoves and Ranges" and "Kitchen Utensils". This certainly appears to be a shrewd business move given the needs of a recently devastated city that was looking to rebuild. The transition of the business appears to have been widely successful, as by early 1907 the company was advertising a wide variety of home goods, hardware, sporting goods, and again jewelry. In the true American spirit, the city of San Francisco rebuilt and continued on to expand and thrive, as did the company of Brittain & Co. where this revolver shipped in April of 1907, almost exactly one year after the disastrous earthquake and fire of 1906. The revolver itself was manufactured in early 1907 and is an outstanding example of Colt's Model 1877 Thunderer in .41 Long Colt. The included factory letter lists the revolver in .41 caliber with a 6 inch barrel, blue finish, and grips not listed when sold to the Pacific Hardware & Steel Co. of San Francisco and shipped to Brittain & Co. on 4 April 1907 as part of a shipment containing 24 guns of this type. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address, while the left is marked "COLT. D.A. 41". The left of the frame has the three-line address as well as the circled Rampant Colt, while there is a Colt "verified proof" and "T" on the left of the trigger guard. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. It is fitted with a blade front sight, frame-top groove rear sight, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops. Included with the revolver is a rare Colt factory picture box for a Model 1877 Lightning revolver in .38 caliber.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1877

BBL: 6 inch round

Gauge: 41 Long Colt

Finish: blue/casehardened

Grips: hard rubber

Serial Number163119

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: Excellent, retains 95% plus of the bright, original, high polish blue finish, 97% plus of the vibrant original case colors, and 98% of the bright original nitre blue with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily in the form of light holster type wear on edges. The grips are also excellent with a few very light handling marks and the checkering and imagery remaining crisp. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with some mild wear and fading and retaining almost all of the original labels.

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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