The accompanying factory letter states that this highly desirable Sheriff's Model 1877 Lightning revolver was shipped to Bandle Arms Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 4, 1893 and confirms the 3 1/2 inch barrel in .38 caliber and factory engraving with the type of stocks not listed. This was a two gun shipment. This revolver is new to collecting circles and this is the first time offered for sale since its discovery in 2022 less than 30 miles from where it was shipped. Colt Archives had no record of this gun every being researched for a letter. This is certainly a rare work of steel canvas art. According to Colt historian R.L. Wilson, "factory records indicate approximately 250 Lightnings in .38 caliber [were engraved]" and "their usual finish was nickel plating." The engraving is consistent with the work of the famed Cuno Helfricht Shop. The revolver is decorated with floral scroll engraving on punch dot background along with zig-zag line borders and flourishes. A fan pattern is engraved on the recoil shield and back strap shoulders, and a star burst pattern is engraved on the loading gate. Scrollwork and zig-zag line pattern alternate on the cylinder flats, and a band of engraving is featured at the rear of the cylinder. The trigger guard is adorned with entwining line and dot motif. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top and "COLT DA 38" is stamped on the left side. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent date marking followed by a Rampant Colt. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Includes four Bandle Arms Co. stock certificates. Established in 1865, Bandle Arms Co. specialized in target rifles until it closed in 1902.

Very fine, retaining 60% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The frame retains 40% of the original case colors, mostly contained in the protected areas with the balance mostly silvered out. The engraving is crisp. The grips are excellent with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare factory engraved Colt Sheriff's Model 1877 Lightning revolver missing from even the most advanced collections. A must have for the serious Colt collector!