Colt Model 1877 Thunderer .41 Colt, 3-inch DA/SA Revolver, 1878 Antique, Bright Plated Finish
This 1878-dated Colt Model 1877 Thunderer is an antique, short-barreled .41 Colt double-action/single-action revolver with a bright plated finish and bird's-head grip frame. The Thunderer name denotes the .41 Colt variant of Colt's first production double-action design. Compact and ejector-equipped, this 3-inch example features classic fixed sights and hard rubber Rampant Colt grip medallions.
Condition
Overall Condition: Poor condition.
Bore Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: The revolver is not fully operational. The cylinder does not rotate and the hammer does not lock to the rear. The trigger can be operated in double action, but the cylinder still does not cycle. Scratches and blemishes are present on the finish. Rifling is visible, and the bore shows blemishes.
What's Included
- Colt Model 1877 Thunderer revolver
Colt introduced the Model 1877 as its first production double-action revolver, and the Thunderer designation identified the .41 Colt chambering. This example dates to 1878 and was made in the United States, placing it early in the production timeline for the model.
The revolver is configured with a short 3-inch steel barrel and retains an ejector assembly, distinguishing it from Sheriff-style variants without ejectors. It uses a gate-loading system with a rod ejector that has a knurled head located to the rear for manual case extraction.
Construction is all steel with a bright plated finish on the frame, cylinder, and receiver. The bird's-head grip frame wears two-piece checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colt medallions. An exposed hammer with a checkered spur complements the double-action/single-action mechanism.
Sighting equipment is traditional fixed iron: a half-moon front sight paired with a fixed rear notch in the topstrap. Capacity is six rounds of .41 Colt, aligned with the Thunderer pattern.