SPF 1,300 Colt 1877 Lightning Revolver .38

[Rube Burrows]

I have a very nice Colt 1877 Lightning Revolver in .38. 

The guns has been gone through by well respected 1877 gunsmith Salvatore Lanara. He has fitted it with new springs and made sure it was running well and in timing. I have not shot it since it came back from him. It has been sitting in the safe since. This one should run a long time. I have decided to just keep my .41 cal 1877 and sell this one. 

Barrel is 4.5" long. 

 

New Price -  $1,300 + 35 shipping. 

Made in 1902 so it will have to be shipped to FFL or C&R lic. 

 

 

The 1878 revolver in the photo is not for sale. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 11, 2025 by Rube Burrows

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Wow you are going to let it go 🤔

[Wild Willi]

Is that lightning GS in Ohio?

Edited October 13, 2025 by Wild Willi

[Cholla]

There is a 75% chance the Lightning was a premium awarded by a tobacco company. Starting in 1900 and running through 1905 it was listed in their premium catalogs. The Colt archive letter will show it sold to a tobacco company or the Floradora Premium company. In the beginning it took 1500 tobacco tags but it was later increased to 1800 tags. I recommend getting a Colt archive letter if this history interests you. 

[Cholla]

1 hour ago, Wild Willi said:

Is that lightning GS in Ohio?

Yes. Sal Lanara owns Revolver Renovations in Ohio. 

 

Edited October 13, 2025 by Cholla

[Rube Burrows]

1 hour ago, Cholla said:

There is a 75% chance the Lightning was a premium awarded by a tobacco company. Starting in 1900 and running through 1905 it was listed in their premium catalogs. The Colt archive letter will show it sold to a tobacco company or the Floradora Premium company. In the beginning it took 1500 tobacco tags but it was later increased to 1800 tags. I recommend getting a Colt archive letter if this history interests you. 

I was going to letter it if I kept it but like the 41 more and didn’t feel like adding the new dies and bullets to reload for the 38 at this time. There is a good chance it’s a tobacco gun but I have not confirmed it yet. 

[Rube Burrows]

14 hours ago, Cholla said:

Yes. Sal Lanara owns Revolver Renovations in Ohio. 

 

Yes. He just worked on it a couple a month or so ago so he’s definitely not retired. 

15 hours ago, Rooster Ron Wayne said:

Wow you are going to let it go 🤔

I’m open to moving this one. I really like the 41 and will definitely not be letting it go. 

Edited October 14, 2025 by Rube Burrows

[Rube Burrows]

Bump

[AlOvera]

I'm not real familiar with the Lightning, is that .38 S&W, or .38 Spl?

Just curious.

Al

[cowrustler]

Neither. It is .38 long Colt, cowrustlar

[Rube Burrows]

23 minutes ago, AlOvera said:

I'm not real familiar with the Lightning, is that .38 S&W, or .38 Spl?

Just curious.

Al

.38 Colt. 

19 minutes ago, cowrustler said:

Neither. It is .38 long Colt, cowrustlar

Thanks. 

[AlOvera]

Forget that cal. completely!

Al

[Rube Burrows]

1 hour ago, AlOvera said:

Forget that cal. completely!

Al

It’s not a bad caliber. It’s fun to shoot and load for. I just don’t have does anymore and since I got the .41 I prefer it. 
 

all serious offers will be considered. 

[Dusty McGregor]

Would these be considered “Pocket Pistols” for side matches????

[Bad Company, SASS #20195]

DM sent

[PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L]

1 hour ago, Dusty McGregor said:

Would these be considered “Pocket Pistols” for side matches????

 

Yes...if the barrel length is <4".
REF: SHB p.30

[Rube Burrows]

2 hours ago, Bad Company, SASS #20195 said:

DM sent

Replied. 

[Rube Burrows]

2 hours ago, PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L said:

 

Yes...if the barrel length is <4".
REF: SHB p.30

4.5 is what this is I believe. 

[Rube Burrows]

Additional photos for those who have requested. 

[Uriah, SASS # 53822]

RB,

 

I just noticed that the cylinders don’t have locking notches.

The lock is on the star on the cylinder?

 

Uriah

[Rube Burrows]

11 minutes ago, Uriah, SASS # 53822 said:

RB,

 

I just noticed that the cylinders don’t have locking notches.

The lock is on the star on the cylinder?

 

Uriah

They’re on the rear of the cylinder. 

[Cholla]

Considering what I have seen, this is a dandy. Not refinished, not buffed, appears all original. 

[Rube Burrows]

21 minutes ago, Cholla said:

Considering what I have seen, this is a dandy. Not refinished, not buffed, appears all original. 

I have had 4 of these and this is one of the nicest other than my .41 but it has been refinished at some point. This one is all original other than some springs but they were fitted by a great smith who specializes in 77s. 

[Rube Burrows]

If interested throw me an offer. 

[Rube Burrows]

Bump

Edited October 23, 2025 by Rube Burrows

[1stNJBrigade]

PM Sent 

[Rube Burrows]

46 minutes ago, 1stNJBrigade said:

PM Sent 

Thanks. I replied. 

[RIDGE WALKER]

Free bump.......Surprised this one has not been snagged up yet!

[RIDGE WALKER]

On 10/15/2025 at 8:44 PM, Uriah, SASS # 53822 said:

RB,

 

I just noticed that the cylinders don’t have locking notches.

The lock is on the star on the cylinder?

 

Uriah

Close up of cylinder face showing the notches 

Edited October 19, 2025 by RIDGE WALKER

[Uriah, SASS # 53822]

6 hours ago, RIDGE WALKER said:

Close up of cylinder face showing the notches 

Thanks, Ridge Walker,

 

Uriah

Edited October 20, 2025 by Uriah, SASS # 53822

[Rube Burrows]

On 10/18/2025 at 7:19 PM, RIDGE WALKER said:

Free bump.......Surprised this one has not been snagged up yet!

Thanks. 

[Rube Burrows]

One more time around the sun. 

Open to serious offers. 

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

6 hours ago, Rube Burrows said:

One more time around the sun. 

Open to serious offers. 

I can't believe this thing is still here  😳

[Rube Burrows]

50 minutes ago, Rooster Ron Wayne said:

I can't believe this thing is still here  😳

Yeah. Still here. 

[Rube Burrows]

Offers welcomed.