Colt Thunderer

[P38]

G'day

This is only my second post and I already need some help with an old Colt Revolver in my posession.

I have a Colt Thunderer in 41cal stamped patent Sept 1871, Sept 1874 & Jan 1875. It's nickel plated and has a 4 1/2" barrel with black Birds Head grips. Serial# 65141
Condition is best described as fair with nickel plating beginning to thin especially on one side of the cylinder and barrel, possibly due to holster or storage wear over the years. Some wear also on the pistol grips. It appears to be in good working order although I have never fired it. The cylinder locks up well in each position and the chamber is nice and tight with very little end play. Barrel bore condition is unknown as its currently lined with grease for storage.

I know very little about this revolver and would like to know more.
Is it collectable?
Or is it ok to use it as a general range gun?
Should I use black powder or modern powders if I reload for it.
What are they currently selling for as I have been offered some money for it but dont really know what the value would be so I cant judge if the offer is a fair one or not.

IMG_5723.JPG IMG_5724.JPG
I'd appreciate any information anyone can share with me about these revolvers.

Cheers
Pete

[ralph7]

very cool revolver.
i'd keep it.

[coltsixguns]

The serial number says 1888 production. The pictures are too little to tell a lot about it but the nickel looks like it's the right color and did you say the caliber marking is stamped on the barrel or is it acid etched?

I don't think it would be adviseable to shoot smokeless powder cartridges in it since it was designed for blackpowder.

I'm going to say it's in the $450 plus USD range now a days if the action works like it should from what I can see.

Welcome to the forum!

[P38]

Thanks for the quick replies.

Coltsixgun

Thanks for the date as I had no Idea.

The barrel is stamped with what looks like "Colt's H A MFG Co Hartford CT USA" only on the top of the barrel.

There is no caliber stamp or etching on the barrel however I have some 41 cal ammo that came with the gun which I believe is loaded with black powder but I'm not willing to risk shooting it.

Thanks for the valuation too.

Unfortunately I have too many guns and have to downsize.

This Colt is one I will have to sell.

My loss, but I'm sure another collector would love to own this Revolver.

Cheers
Pete

[coltsixguns]

If the 1877 model followed suit with the 1873 single action army you start seeing a roll marked caliber marking around the year 1890 give or take. If you don't see a rolled caliber marking on your 1877 colt then it probably had an acid etched caliber marking and it went missing when the nickel left the barrel. A factory letter would be interesting to see where it was originally shipped.

[twaits]

I think it's probably more in the $650-$850 range. Nice old revolver.

[Slowhand]

Working Colt’s Model 1877 Double-Action Revolvers

I bought one of those Old Gals in December of 2010 and spent about 3 months of spare time getting her lined out. They have a well earned reputation for being an iron jig saw puzzle. David Chicoine wrote some great stuff on tinkering aroud with them.

All the flat springs have specific angles that require an exact fitting. Mason, the guy at Colt who designed this thing was a genius. The whole thing is like an old pocket watch, precise fitting and all crammed into some narrow spaces. They were of course Colt's first double action revolver, but having the cylinder stop/bolt and the hand both locking behind the cylinder for firing, lead to some problems in prolonged firing and use. Most of the ones I've tinkered with had worn out sears and reversed springs.

They did have their place in history though. Reputed to have been carried by some rather notorious characters in the Old West and that classic six shooter design makes her worth keeping around. Mine's a Safe Queen.

[Chaffee]

These DA's are inherently weak, intricate and confusing. They can stop working just from sitting it seems. I don't shoot mine at all and don't even "play" with them much. That being said they are interesting and genuine old west guns and are a bargain compared with other contemperary big name revolvers. Prices range from "so cheap I can't pass it up", to pricey. A couple of years ago at a gunshow, I paid $50 for one that is basically a wall hanger and $1000 for a very nice one that works perfectly. However, I probably would not pay $1000 again for one.

[feralmerril]

I would pay $450s for it and every one I could find like it and roll them and live well!edited: That was before I blew the picture up of that clyinder. Still $450, but not as strong as my first opinion. Later I will post one I had like it.

[feralmerril]

Here is the one I had. It and others disapeared along with my ex wife. It was a .38 lighting.