As confirmed by the accompanying factory letter, this stunning Sheriff's Model 1877 DA revolver was shipped on November 5, 1881 to E.J. Murphy (address unavailable) with a 3 1/2 inch barrel in .38 caliber, nickel finish, and hard rubber stocks. This was a single gun shipment. The top of the barrel has the two-line Colt Hartford address. The left side of the barrel has the highly sought after acid etched caliber marking ("COLT D.A. 38"). The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking, and the left side of the trigger guard bow has the caliber designation "38 CAL." Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the matching last three digits on the cylinder. It has the standard round blade front and frame groove rear sights, niter blued small parts, and checkered hard rubber grips with the embossed Rampant Colt logo at the top. Also included is a rare and original Colt Sheriff's Model 1877 Lightning revolver picture box numbered to the gun. Designated for the desirable Sheriff's Model variation of the Colt's Model 1877 (3 1/2 inch barrel), these cloth cover, hinged lid boxes are rarely encountered. The exterior of the lid has the iconic illustrated picture label listing the 3 1/2 inch barrel in .38 caliber. The revolver and box were featured in Marc Gorelick and Tim Prince's article "Thunder & Lightning: Colt M1877 Double Action Revolvers, The Lightning, Thunderer and Rainmaker" for the Virginia Gun Collector's Association.

Excellent, retaining 98% plus original nickel plating with nearly all of the clear acid etched panel remaining. The small components retain 95% plus original niter blue. The grips are also excellent with a slight chip near the butt (left panel) and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with some staining to the nearly complete picture label. An outstanding documented antique, acid etched panel Colt Sheriff's Model 1877 Lightning revolver with equally impressive original picture box!