The accompanying factory letter lists this highly sought after Model 1877 Lightning with a 6 inch barrel in .38 caliber (barrel period shortened to 4 1/2 inches), blue finish, checkered pearl grips (currently smooth pearl), and factory engraving when shipped to Charles N. Cox (address unavailable) on June 4, 1886. This was a single gun shipment. The recipient may have been Colorado rancher and businessman Charles N. Cox (1858-1907), the son of Civil War Union Major General, 28th Ohio Governor, U.S. Congressman, and Presidential Cabinet Secretary Jacob D. Cox. The revolver features Helfricht style floral scroll engraving throughout along with fan patterns on the recoil shield, loading gate and area behind the hammer, cross hatching on the recoil shields, entwining line patterns on the trigger guard and top of barrel, and zig-zag line motifs on top of the ejector rod housing and cylinder. The left side of the barrel has the desirable acid etched caliber designation panel. The left side of the frame has the patent dates marking. The top of the barrel has the two-line Hartford address. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. According to Colt historian R.L. Wilson, "factory records indicate approximately 250 Lightnings in .38 caliber [were engraved]" and "their usual finish was nickel plating." Factory engraving and blue finish makes for an extremely rare combination of features.

Extremely fine. The revolver retains 60% original blue finish and strong patterns of original case colors on the frame, otherwise an attractive even aged patina. The period shortened barrel (crowned muzzle) has a trimmed and repositioned original front sight. The etched panel is clear. The engraving is crisp. The grips are fine with very limited surface chipping at the top (left panel), minimal handling marks and fiery colors. Mechanically excellent. A rare blue finished and factory engraved Model 1877 Lightning that will be a welcomed addition to any Colt collection. Provenance: The John Fox Collection.