Manufactured in 1881, this is a very attractive example of a New York engraved, ejectorless, Sheriff's Model, Colt "Thunderer" revolver with a desirable 2 1/2 inch barrel. Though the nicknames "Rainmaker", "Lightning", and "Thunderer" are all excellent marketing material and common nomenclature in the collectors community, they were not names ever actually used by Colt. These nicknames are believed to have been coined by the famous Colt distributor, Benjamin Kittredge, who is also believed to have been responsible for giving the Single Action Army its iconic nickname, "Peacemaker". "Thunderer" is certainly an apt nickname for this Sheriff's Model, with it packing the punch of double action .41 Long Colt in a revolver small enough to fit in a large pocket. The included factory letter lists the revolver in .41 caliber with a 2 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and grips not listed when it was shipped to Hartley & Graham in New York City on 31 December 1881. It was almost certainly Hartley & Graham that then had the revolver engraved and then finished with nickel and gold plating by a local artisan before reselling it to their upscale New York clientele. The revolver features nearly full coverage, beautifully executed floral scroll and border engraving, very much in the New York style, as well as a gold plated cylinder, cylinder pin, and hammer, while the remainder is nickel plated. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and the caliber marking is on the left rear of the trigger guard. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. It has the standard blade and frame-top groove sights and is fitted with an attractive pair of smooth pearl grips.

Fine as period New York engraved and plated, retaining 80% plus of the nickel plating and faint traces of the gold plating in sheltered areas of the hammer, cylinder, and pin, with a few patches of mild wear/flaking of the nickel and the areas once gold plated showing mostly grey patina. The engraving is crisp overall. The grips are very fine with a few light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. An attractive Sheriff's Model Thunderer to add to your collection!