Extremely rare in the 7-1/2 inch barrel, this revolver was manufactured in the second year of production, 1878 and subsequently returned to the factory for modification. It has an interesting "box shaped" stamp above the serial number that the writer feels is of significance. Fixed rounded front sight with notched rear sight. Colt two line Hartford address on top of barrel with "COLT D.A. 38" roll engraved on the left. Spring loaded cylinder release button. The patent dates do not appear on the left side of the frame. Serial numbers match on frame, trigger guard, and backstrap. Complete with rare checkered rosewood birdhead grips.

Factory refinished/reworked (and so marked on right rear trigger bow). The barrel and cylinder have 98% bright factory blue finish remaining with some muzzle wear and very light handling marks. The trigger guard retains about 90% thinning blue and the backstrap has about 70% with a lightly cleaned area at the top. The casehardening on the frame is 90% overall with mostly brilliant colors. The grips are near pristine with only a few scattered blemishes. Mechanically excellent. All markings are clear and crisp. A totally unique Colt model 1877 D.A. revolver that needs further research. This is as close to a Buntline as you will ever get with a Lightning Colt revolver.