Manufactured in 1879, as an ejectorless "Sheriff's Model" variation with a desirable 2 1/2 inch barrel and clear acid etched barrel panel. The barrel has the sought after acid etched "COLT D.A. 38" panel on the left side. The top of the barrel has the two-line Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. "38 CAL" is marked on the left side of the trigger guard. The matching serial number appears on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and cylinder. The included factory letter states the revolver was shipped to B. Kittredge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, on March 21, 1879 with a 2 1/2 inch barrel in .38 caliber, nickel finish, and hard rubber stocks. This was a 19 gun shipment. The Model 1877 was designed by William Mason who was one of the inventors of Colts legendary Single Action Army revolver, and the model was Colt's first mass produced double action revolver. Whether on the hip of a lawman, carried by an outlaw or under the counter of a storekeeper's shop, these concealable pocket pistol Sheriff's Models were at the front lines of the American frontier. This example is in well above average condition for an early production gun. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection