Colt's First Double Actions: The 1877 Lightning & Thunderer

Published on November 25, 2020
Duration: 7:40

Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons details Colt's first double-action revolvers, the 1877 Lightning and Thunderer. These models were developed by William Mason to compete with imported British revolvers after Sam Colt's death. Despite a reputation for fragility, they were popular for their concealability and speed, with figures like Doc Holliday favoring them.

Quick Summary

Colt's first double-action revolvers were the Model 1877 series, including the Lightning (.38 caliber) and Thunderer (.41 caliber), introduced in 1877. Designed by William Mason to compete with British imports, these DA/SA revolvers, despite a reputation for fragility, were favored for concealability and speed by figures like Doc Holliday.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Colt's First Double Actions
  2. 01:28Market Pressure and Development
  3. 02:53Model Variations and Calibers
  4. 03:34Design Features and Aesthetics
  5. 06:08Production History and Reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

What were Colt's first double-action revolvers?

Colt's first double-action revolvers were the Model 1877 series, specifically the Lightning and Thunderer models, introduced in 1877. These were developed by William Mason to compete with imported British revolvers.

Why were the Colt 1877 revolvers developed?

The Colt 1877 series was developed by William Mason to compete with popular imported British Webley 'Bulldog' revolvers. These British imports were compact, double-action firearms that gained traction in the American West after Sam Colt's initial reluctance to produce double-action designs.

What calibers were the Colt 1877 Lightning and Thunderer offered in?

The Colt 1877 Lightning was primarily chambered in .38 caliber (.38 Long Colt and .38 Short Colt), while the Colt 1877 Thunderer was chambered in .41 caliber (.41 Long Colt and .41 Short Colt). A rarer variant, the Rainmaker, was in .32 caliber.

What was the reputation of the Colt 1877 revolvers?

Despite their historical significance and production numbers, the Colt 1877 revolvers developed a reputation for being mechanically fragile and difficult for gunsmiths to repair. However, they were favored by some historical figures for their concealability and speed.

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