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










