This is an excellent example of a Colt Lightning revolver with it's original box that was manufactured in 1903. The top of the barrel is marked with the two line address "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.", "COLT. D.A. 38" on the left side and the three line, three patent dates on the left side of the frame followed by the circled Rampant Colt. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap, with the assembly number "624" on the loading gate. Blue finish with casehardened frame, and niter blue screw heads, trigger and hammer with polished sides. Standard blade front and frame notch rear sights and fitted with black checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant Colt in an oval at the top. The accompanying factory letter verifies the .38/c caliber, 4 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish with the grips as "Not Listed" and that it was shipped as 1 of 24 to the Continental Tobacco Co., Tag Co., Philadelphia, Pa. on June 19, 1903. The revolver is complete with the original maroon hinged lid box numbered to the gun. The lid label has the image of the Rampant Colt on the left side and the Model 1877 revolver in the center and reads "COLT'S DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER" along the top and "COLT'S/Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Co/HARTFORD, CONN" at the bottom. There is a label on the lower left hand corner that reads "THE WITHIN REVOLVER IS NOT/ADAPTED FOR/SMOKELESS POWDER.". The lid end label reads "WITH EJECTOR." and the box end label reads "4 1/2 Colt's D.A. Revolver .38/RUBBER BLUE". The inside lid label is the red and yellow Ideal Reloading Implements label. In the box is an original cleaning brush, "Proper Ammunition sheet and "Special Instruction" pamphlet.

Excellent. The revolver retains 98% bright original blue finish with some minor muzzle and high edge wear, and some minor cycling scratches and spotting on the cylinder. The frame retains 98% vivid original case colors with some fading to gray and minor spotting on the top strap. Most of the original bright niter blue finish remains on the trigger and hammer, and almost all on the screw heads. The grips are excellent with only a small very minor bruise. The markings remain sharp. The hammer does not hold the third notch position, otherwise the double action functions well. The box is very good with a small puncture in the lid and some minor scuffs and edge wear.