Either of the above, in 4" barrel length:
| 5B-176 | Values—Very Good $675 | Exc. $1,850 |
Colt New House Model Revolver
New House Model Revolver. Manufactured c. 1880-86; the total quantity about 4,000. Found in serial range 10300 to 25700.
38 and 41 centerfire calibers; rare in 32 c.f., few made (worth premium). 5-shot cylinder. 2-1/4" barrel.
5B-177
Grips of varnished rosewood or walnut, or of checkered hard rubber with COLT oval embossed. Nickel plated finish, or blued with casehardened frame.
Serial numbering shared with various other models of New Line and New Police pistols, in 32, 38, and 41 calibers. Barrel marking: COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. (additional DEPOT 14, PALL MALL LONDONbarrel markings scarce, worth premium.) Left side of barrel usually etched (late production stamped) with caliber designations, e.g., COLT HOUSE 38, COLT NEW 38, or NEW HOUSE 38. Caliber designations may be found on left side of the frame. Some barrels have 1874 patent date marking.
Distinctive details identifying the model include the square profile of the butt (in contrast to the bird’s head grip of most New Lines), the 2-1/4" barrel without ejector rod, and the thin loading gate on the right recoil shield. All cylinders were of the long fluted type, with the stop slots at the back:
| 5B-177 | Values—Very Good $350 | Exc. $950 |
Colt New Police “Cop and Thug” Revolver
New Police “Cop and Thug” Model Revolver. Made c. 1882-86; total quantity not more than 4,000. Found in serial range 14450 to 21500 continuing to end.
38 centerfire caliber. 32 and 41 CF calibers quite rare. 5-shot cylinder. Barrel lengths of 2-1/4", 4-1/2", 5" and 6" (all but the shortest fitted with ejector rod).
Grips of hard rubber embossed with the Cop and Thug motif and COLT oval. Nickel plated finish, or blued with casehardened frame.
Serial numbering shared with various other models of New Line and New House pistols, in 32, 38, and 41 calibers. Barrel marking: COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. (additional DEPOT 14, PALL MALL LONDONmarkings scarce; usually found with rosewood grips). Etched or stamped on left side of barrel with caliber designations, e.g., COLT NEW 38 or NEW POLICE 38. Caliber designations may be found on the left side of the frame, and some barrels have 1874 patent date markings.
The New Police is the only New Line model having the ejector rod as a standard feature. The Cop and Thug grips (found on a majority of the production) also serve to identify the type. The low relief scene depicts a “cop” arresting a “thug,” and is located between the stock screw and butt on each grip panel. Prices given are for specimens having this type grip (and must be in reasonably good condition—if chipping or very worn, demand and price fall accordingly); with plain grips deduct approx. 15 to 25 percent from values. All cylinders were of the long fluted type, and the stop slots were at the back.
Major variations are:
Standard model, 38 caliber, with ejector rod on barrel:
5B-178 with close-up of grips
| 5B-178 | Values—Very Good $850 | Exc. $3,000 |
Same as above, except with 2-1/4" barrel and without ejector:
| 5B-179 | Values—Very Good $575 | Exc. $2,000 |
Standard model, with ejector rod on barrel, but chambered for 41 centerfire caliber. Caliber 32CF more rare and worth premium:
| 5B-180 | Values—Very Good $1,000 | Exc. $3,250 |
Colt Model 1877 “Lightning” D.A. Revolver
Model 1877 “Lightning” Double Action Revolver. Made 1877 -1909; total production 166,849. Under serial number 111,500 (approx.) made prior to Dec. 31, 1898.
Standard calibers were 38 Colt (the “Lightning”) and 41 Colt (the “Thunderer”). Approx. 200 were chambered for 32 Colt caliber (found in serial range 66,000 through 121,000) extremely rare; worth substantial premium. Other calibers known on special order fetch strong premiums if authenticated. In common usage both calibers are called: “Lightning.” 6-shot cylinder. Barrel lengths vary from 1-1/2" to 10". Standard lengths were 2-1/2" to 3-1/2" without ejector, and 4-1/2" to 6" with (no barrels were made shorter than 4-1/2" with ejector).
Majority of production had checkered hard rubber grips with oval rampant colt embossed motif; earlier revolvers had checkered one piece rosewood. Finished in blue, with casehardened frame; second in quantity was nickel plating.
Serial numbering began with 1 and continued through 166849. Barrel address marking: COLT’S PT.F.A.MFG.CO/HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A. Three line patent date marking (1871, 1874, and 1875) on left side of the frame, usually accompanied by rampant colt stamp. Caliber designation on either the trigger guard or on left side of the barrel.
The Lightning was Colt’s first production of a double action revolver. Its sales record was impressive, but the mechanism was rather intricate and specimens are often found malfunctioning. The similarity of barrel and frame to the Single Action Army is part of the Lightning Model’s appeal to collectors; as is the distinctive bird’s head grip profile. Increasingly, arms enthusiasts are devoting attention to this somewhat neglected but quite interesting Colt handgun. A relatively broad range of variations exist in the Lightnings, particularly in barrel lengths, markings, finishes, grips, and in sundry other details. “Billy the Kid” (William Bonney) carried the Lightning the night he was shot by Pat Garrett; John Wesley Hardin was known to have carried a “Thunderer.” Major types are as follows:
Standard model, without ejector, in barrel lengths between 2-1/2" and 3-1/2":
5B-181
| 5B-181 | Values—Very Good $400 | Exc. $1,450 |
Same as above, but in remaining barrel lengths (some ultra-rare, e.g., 1-1/2" or 6", and bring a premium price):