This excellent Factory Engraved Colt Model 1877 DA revolver was manufactured in 1883. The revolver is complete with a Colt factory letter. The letter describes the revolver as "Caliber: .41/c, Barrel Length: 4 1/2", Finish: Nickel" and "Type of Stocks: Pearl". The letter notes that the revolver was factory engraved and was shipped to "J.H. Porter" (address unavailable) on December 15, 1883. Documents that accompany the revolver suggest that "J.H. Porter" may have been Dr. Jay H. Porter of Silver City, New Mexico. Dr. Porter was a part-time dentist and mine owner who apparently had shares in a number of successful New Mexico and Idaho gold mines during the 1880s. Included with the revolver are a number of newspaper articles that refer to Jay Porter in conjunction with various mining claims. The revolver is engraved with Germanic scrollwork on a punch-dot background. The engraving appears to be nearly identical to that on a nickel-plated Model 1877 "Lighting DA" revolver serial number, "6751" engraved by Cuno A. Helfricht and illustrated on page 246 of "THE BOOK OF COLT ENGRAVING" by R.L. Wilson. The revolver has a nickel-plated finish with niter blue cylinder pin, trigger and screws and two-piece pearl bird's head grips. The caliber, "COLT D.A. 41" is roll-stamped in an oval panel on the left side of the barrel. The two-line legend "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co./HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A." is located on the top of the barrel in an engraved panel. The Colt three-date/three-line patent marks are located in an engraved panel on the left side of the frame. A "5" inspection/assembly mark is located on the left front trigger guard bow and "41 CAL" is stamped on the left rear trigger guard bow. The assembly number, "504" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The full serial number, "6919" is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "919" is stamped on the underside of the barrel just ahead of the frame and on the rear face of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match.

Excellent. The revolver retains 85% plus of the untouched original nickel-plated finish. The nickel-plating on the top of the barrel, the right side of the receiver and the leading edges of the cylinder has scattered minor flaking. The trigger retains 40% of the niter blue finish and the frame screws have 70% of the fire blue finish. The flawlessly executed scroll engraving is deep and sharp. The pearl grips are both excellent. The action is crisp. This is an exceptional, original example of a factory engraved Colt Model 1877 DA Thunderer revolver with factory letter.