This outstanding revolver was manufactured in 1878 and remains essentially as it left the factory. Additionally, it is photographed on page 246 of Wilson's "The Book of Colt Engraving." The factory letter confirms this revolver was shipped chambered in .41 caliber and had a 6 inch barrel, engraving, nickel plated finish, pearl grips, and shipped to B. Kittredge & Company on June 10, 1878, in a shipment of three guns. The engraving includes a wavy line at the muzzle, scroll designs with punched backgrounds around the "COLT D.A. 41" etched panel on the left side of the barrel, a border and geometric design around the two-line "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co./HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." barrel address, coordinating scroll patterns above the ejector housing on the right, a wavy line and dot pattern on the top of the ejector housing, scroll design with checkered oval on the trigger guard bow, extensive scroll engraving with punched backgrounds on the frame and sides of the trigger guard, scroll panels on each chamber, wavy lines in each cylinder flute, a nick and dot border along the rear of the cylinder, floral vine engraving on the top strap flanking the sighting groove, floral pattern and wavy line border on the ejector housing, shell or fan patterns on the top of the back strap on the sides, wavy line geometric design on the back strap behind the hammer, and geometric pattern down the back strap. The frame has the three-line patent marking on the left, and the trigger guard has "41 CAL" on the left at the rear. Matching serial numbers are visible on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the rear of the cylinder has the matching partial serial number "51." The loading gate has the assembly number "360" over what appears to be an asterisks.

Excellent. 98% plus of the untouched original nickel plating remains, and 85% plus of the original bright niter blue finish remains with only some fading on the trigger from handling. The engraving, acid etched panel, and markings remain crisp. There is minimal overall handling and storage related wear such as some slight edge wear and spots on the barrel. The grips also remain excellent and exhibit a beautiful fire and natural iridescence, a tiny flake at the top edge on the left, and minimal age and handling related wear. Mechanically excellent. This revolver is truly exceptional. One would be very hard pressed to find a finer factory engraved Colt Model 1877 D.A. Thunderer Revolver.