Made in 1877, this revolver was one of the very first produced at the Colt factory. The serial number "3" is present on the frame, trigger guard, backstrap, underside of barrel, and back of cylinder. German silver blade front sight on barrel with two line block letter address, no visible caliber markings, and no provision for an ejector rod. The frame is marked with the three line, three date address, no Rampant Colt, quick release cylinder pin, and niter blue hammer, trigger, and screws. The trigger guard is marked "38 CAL" on the left shoulder, and the grips are one piece checkered hardwood. With a letter from M.S. Huber, Colt Historian, (written to famous collector Richard Marohn, M.D., on 4/24/80)stating that no record could be found. This is not unusual on these single digit Colt revolvers as many of the first run on major models were either presented to influential people or kept in the factory. Writer can not recall any Colt DA 1877s with lower numbers ever offered for sale.

Fine, with approximately 40% of the original blue finish remaining. The barrel has a mixed brown and gray patina forming on the sides and bottom, with original blue on top and around the cylinder pin, and some scratching. The cylinder shows a satin gray and brown appearance, with original blue in the cylinder flutes. The frame has started to fade, though the casehardened pattern and some of the color remain. The grip frame has turned a satin gray in the 'gripped' area on the straps, along with some edge wear, the start of a brown patina, and some dings on the blue. The grips are fine, with some small pressure dents, a scratch on the back of the left grip, and a small chip in the left toe. The action is excellent.