Question about a Colt Lightning

[castile]

I was at an antique store yesterday. They had a Colt Lightning in very good condition. Not much bluing but looked to be all original parts and matching numbers. It was zip tied shut but the barrel frame and trigger guard and butt all matched. It was in 41 cal. I did not have a bore light so did not take a look. Finish was not much blueing but nice patina. Patent date and rampant colt were visible and not worn off. Grips did not seem damaged and in good condition but with usual wear. They are not open again till tomorrow and would like to get some ideas on if its a buy or not. I don't have pictures my phone was dead and I had not camera. I can go back tomorrow. They were asking 800 but can see if they would go down a bit. Any help appreciated.

 

[StrawHat]

If it is a 41 Colt, it is a Thunderer. The 38 Colt was the Lightning. Very cool but fragile revolver and not one for which it is easy to find a repair man. They are also double action and designed that way. Firing single action or even cocking it is a good way to break parts. Remember what I mentioned about repair guys? Parts are the same, tough to find. Some fellows have been known to buy several just to keep one working.

If you are looking for a display piece, talk the price down. If you want a shooter, my advice would be, look for something else.

Kevin

 

[castile]

Thanks good information.

 

[Iggy]

The old DA Colts were pretty delicate and parts are as rare as whale crap.

 

[Kleanbore]

Very cool but fragile revolver and not one for which it is easy to find a repair man. They are also double action and designed that way. Firing single action or even cocking it is a good way to break parts. Remember what I mentioned about repair guys? Parts are the same, tough to find. Some fellows have been known to buy several just to keep one working.

Interestingly, when I was ten or eleven, I bought a Silvertip comic book. The story was about how the Colt DA was fragile and likely to break.

I have never forgotten that.

 

[Tallball]

All I have heard about them is similar to what Strawhat wrote.

From Wikipedia:

The M1877's early double-action mechanism proved to be both intricate and delicate, and thus prone to breakage. The design had a reputation for failure and earned the nickname "the gunsmith's favorite". Because of the intricate design and difficulty of repair, gunsmiths to this day dislike working on them. Gun Digest referred to it as "the worst double-action trigger mechanism ever made". Typically, the trigger spring would fail and this would reduce the revolver to single-action fire only.

 

[indy1919a4]

. It was zip tied shut but the barrel frame and trigger guard and butt all matched. It was in 41 cal. I did not have a bore light so did not take a look. .

That Zip tied kinda scares, me, would love to see a picture... I do know that Lightings in need of repair need gunsmiths with lighting backgrounds. Hate to be stuck on this but why the zip ties?? No screws??

 

[indy1919a4]

You know, just looking out in the internuts.. you can get some with issues for less

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/862850922

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/864512836

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/861669597

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/863215280

 

[silvermane_1]

Hard pass there castile.