EARLY NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1877 LIGHTNING SHERIFF’S DA REVOLVER.

EARLY NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1877 LIGHTNING SHERIFF’S DA REVOLVER. SN 7364. Cal. 38 Colt. Nickel finish with 3-1/2″ bbl, full front sight, 2-line address and a fine, clear, etched panel “COLT D.A. 38” on the left side. Left side of the frame has 3-line patent dates and left rear web of the trigger guard has the caliber marking. It is mounted with smooth, 2-pc pearl grips. Last 3 digits of the serial number and a small “p” are on the bottom of the bbl under the base pin. The frame, bbl, back strap & trigger guard are very nicely engraved from the Nimschke shop with about 60% coverage fine foliate arabesque patterns with punch-dot background and Moorish patterns incorporated into the engraving on both sides of the bbl. Left recoil shield has a beautifully engraved Mexican eagle, probably by the master himself. Top of the back strap has crossed ribbons in the shape of a Confederate flag with fine punch-dot background. Back strap & trigger guard have Moorish patterns. Cylinder has light foliate arabesque patterns on the lands between the flutes and it has fire-blued screws, trigger & back edge of the hammer. Accompanied by copies of 3 articles from Man at Arms magazine: 1). From the January / February 1983 issue, entitled “GETTING A GRIP ON YOUR LIGHTNING” by Richard C. Marohn which deals with Lightning grips. 2). From the Number 6, 1997 issue, “THE COLT MODEL 1877 DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER / A TWENTY-YEAR REVIEW 1877-1897”, also by Dr. Marohn which deals with production numbers & dates of the Model 1877; and 3). From the Number 1, 2003 issue, an article by Herbert G. Houze dealing with the life & work of L. D. Nimschke. PROVENANCE: Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall retains 96-97% strong orig nickel on the frame & bbl with some flaking in the gullets on the front part of the frame, and some minor pimpling on the back strap. Cylinder retains 80-85% strong orig nickel with some flaking & discoloration in the flutes. Trigger retains 80-85% orig fire blue, thin & dull on the front, strong & bright on the back. rear edge of hammer retains most of its orig fire blue, slightly thinned on the top. Grips are outstanding with great fire & color. Timing needs attention, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bore with moderate pitting. 4-36429 JR71 (20,000-40,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2035	$0.00	EARLY NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1877 LIGHTNING SHERIFF’S DA REVOLVER. SN 7364. Cal. 38 Colt. Nickel finish with 3-1/2″ bbl, full front sight, 2-line address and a fine, clear, etched panel “COLT D.A. 38” on the left side. Left side of the frame has 3-line patent dates and left rear web of the trigger guard has the caliber marking. It is mounted with smooth, 2-pc pearl grips. Last 3 digits of the serial number and a small “p” are on the bottom of the bbl under the base pin. The frame, bbl, back strap & trigger guard are very nicely engraved from the Nimschke shop with about 60% coverage fine foliate arabesque patterns with punch-dot background and Moorish patterns incorporated into the engraving on both sides of the bbl. Left recoil shield has a beautifully engraved Mexican eagle, probably by the master himself. Top of the back strap has crossed ribbons in the shape of a Confederate flag with fine punch-dot background. Back strap & trigger guard have Moorish patterns. Cylinder has light foliate arabesque patterns on the lands between the flutes and it has fire-blued screws, trigger & back edge of the hammer. Accompanied by copies of 3 articles from Man at Arms magazine: 1). From the January / February 1983 issue, entitled “GETTING A GRIP ON YOUR LIGHTNING” by Richard C. Marohn which deals with Lightning grips. 2). From the Number 6, 1997 issue, “THE COLT MODEL 1877 DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER / A TWENTY-YEAR REVIEW 1877-1897”, also by Dr. Marohn which deals with production numbers & dates of the Model 1877; and 3). From the Number 1, 2003 issue, an article by Herbert G. Houze dealing with the life & work of L. D. Nimschke. PROVENANCE: Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall retains 96-97% strong orig nickel on the frame & bbl with some flaking in the gullets on the front part of the frame, and some minor pimpling on the back strap. Cylinder retains 80-85% strong orig nickel with some flaking & discoloration in the flutes. Trigger retains 80-85% orig fire blue, thin & dull on the front, strong & bright on the back. rear edge of hammer retains most of its orig fire blue, slightly thinned on the top. Grips are outstanding with great fire & color. Timing needs attention, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bore with moderate pitting. 4-36429 JR71 (20,000-40,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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