Manufactured in 1877 as an ejectorless "Sheriff's Model" variation with a desirable 3 1/2 inch barrel and very scarce one-piece checkered hard rubber grip. The barrel has the sought after acid etched "COLT D.A. 38" panel on the left side. The top of the barrel has the two-line Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. "38 CAL" is marked on the left side of the trigger guard. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as shipment to William Read & Sons of Boston on 25 July 1877. Includes a correctly labeled factory box and a brown leather holster tooled with "R." Also included is a 1900 dated invoice for an unrelated item from William Read & Sons. Provenance: The Jeff Faintich Collection; The Fred Sweeney Collection; The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection

Excellent, retains 98% plus of the original nickel finish with some scattered light handling marks, the etched panel remaining crisp, and some patches of grey patina on the hammer. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically needs adjustment as the action functions intermittently. The box is very fine with moderate fading and mild wear, and the holster is very good with some mild wear.