Colt 1877 .41

[zt77]

Hi, i just bought a colt double action 1877 .41 caliber off this guy whose grandfather gave it to him. I am very unfamiliar with colt revolvers so i have 2 questions.

I paid $150 for it, whats it worth? Good shape, 75-80% blue left.

And date of manufacture? Serial # 137xxx

 

[Radagast]

Manufactured 1902. Value is heavily dependent upon condition, a quick look on gunbroker shows bids in the $900 range for the .38 Long Colt Lightning. You have the .41 Long Colt Thunderer, so values may be different.

 

[forindooruseonly]

I would take care with it as well. The action on those old DA Colts are notoriously fragile and I'm not sure any gunsmith will work on them anymore. A functioning gun will be worth a lot more than a non-functioning, so don't play with it too much.

 

[StrawHat]

The Thunderers and Lightnings all were fitted by hand. This means that replacement parts, if you can find any, will require hand fitting. Some will need more fitting than others. I worked on one, and it was the only one I will do.

This was built as double action revolver and it should be fired only as a trigger cocking revolver. Trying to fire it as a single action will wear out or break parts.

The 41 Colt cartridge is making a bit of a comeback. The 200 grain blunt nosed bullet hits well.