Offered here is desirable Colt factory experimental ejection system featured on a Model 1877 Thunderer with a 3 ½ inch ejectorless barrel. Standard production 3 ½ inch barrel length Model 1877s were generally ejectorless and are known as Sheriff’s Models that are highly desirable by today’s collectors. A similar experimental Model 1877 in .38 caliber is pictured and identified in R.L. Wilson’s “The Book of Colt Firearms” on page 324 (plate B), and according to Wilson, other examples, such as this specimen, are found in the 200 and 3000 Model 1877 serial number ranges. The cylinder pin is designed to double as an ejector rod. The pin is removed by depressing the cylinder pin release mounted on the left side of the frame. Once the pin is released it swivels to the right and manually ejects each cartridge. The serial number dates the gun to early 1878, the second year of production for the Model 1877. The 3 ½ inch barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top and “COLT D.A. 41” in an acid etched panel on the left side. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent date marking, and the left side of the trigger guard is stamped “41 CAL.” The revolver features the highly desirable checkered rosewood grip. In the accompanying copy Museum of Connecticut History letter addressed to George Lewis, Jr. museum director David White explains the provenance: “[This] revolver was displayed at the Colt Plant until the collection was donated to the State of Connecticut in 1957. In that year it was given to the Museum and kept here until March of 1980 when it was traded for other firearms.” A copy of the Museum of Connecticut History deaccessions record for the revolver is included. The revolver is listed among other experimental Model 1877s as being part of the Colt collection in a handwritten inventory complied in 1887. Copies of the related pages to this original Colt factory internal work are included. In two other accompanying copies of Colt records we again clearly see that this revolver was once part of the factory collection. In the Colt factory museum’s “The Evolution of the Colt from the Year 1836” this revolver is recorded by serial number as being on public display in case “G,” and finally an undated inventory of Colt museum arms reaffirms that the revolver was displayed in case “G.” Besides its serial number, the revolver is identified in these records with the museum number “429.” A metal tag with the number “429” comes with the revolver. The revolver was featured in Richard Marohn’s article “Colt’s Efforts at Double Action” for The Gun Report . According to Marohn, "Apparently a number of these extraction designs were shipped to dealers, but did not survive the test of experience. Colt decided to continue using the knurled cylinder pin a removable ejector, sometimes producing it in an extra long length, and delayed using the sturdy and reliable Single Action Army sliding ejection system until the second year of production.” Lastly, this lot includes a rare Colt Model 1877 Thunderer Sheriffs Model picture box. Designated for the desirable Colt Model 1877 Thunderer Sheriffs Model Revolver (3 1/2 inch barrel), these brown cloth cover, hinged lid boxes are rarely encountered. The exterior of the lid has the iconic illustrated picture label listing the 3 1/2 inch barrel in .41 caliber. Provenance: The Colt Museum Collection; Connecticut State library; The George S. Lewis, Jr. Collection; Charles Marx Collection

Excellent, retaining 95% plus bright original high polished blue finish with high edge wear and minor handling marks. The etched panel is crisp. 90% plus of the original niter blue remains on the hammer. The frame retains 97% vivid original case colors. The grips are also excellent with some minor handling marks and crisp checkering. overall. Mechanically functions, but needs work as the cylinder stop does not engage and the trigger return spring is weak. The replacement box is very good with repairs and retains much of the picture label. Overall an outstanding example of a well-documented Colt factory museum displayed experimental Model 1877 Thunderer revolver. A must have for the serious Colt collector and especially an 1877 collector.