Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The Colt 1877 Thunderer, a significant firearm in American Western history, takes center stage as a specially engraved model presented to Pat Garrett, the man who killed Billy the Kid. This .41 caliber revolver was given to Garrett in 1903 after his appointment as Customs Collector of El Paso, Texas. The gun features intricate American scroll engraving, gold plating, and unique German silver grips inscribed with significant locations from Garrett’s life. The revolver’s provenance includes its shipment from Colt to M. Hearly Company for engraving and its subsequent ownership by Tom Powers. Interestingly, Billy the Kid himself allegedly owned a Colt 1877, though he likely never used it in his infamous exploits. Currently up for auction at Rock Island Auction Company, this prestigious piece of Western Americana is expected to fetch between $130,000 and $190,000. The Colt 1877 Thunderer’s connection to Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid makes it a valuable artifact of frontier law enforcement and outlaw lore, embodying a pivotal moment in the history of the American West.
“This historic revolver is engraved in classic American scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds and wavy line and dot accents and features a gold plated/washed finish overall. The 4 ½ inch rounded barrel is stamped with the two-line address “COLTS PT F.A. MFG. Co/HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” on top and “COLT. D.A. 41” on the left side in an oval panel. The matching serial number “138671” is marked on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The three-line, three patent dates marking is on the left side of the frame. The back strap is inscribed: “PAT F. GARRETT” followed by “FROM HIS/EL PASO FRIENDS”. The unusual solid German silver grips are inscribed “CUSTOMS/COLLECTOR” on the right and “Lincoln”, “Dona Ana”, and “El Paso” with scroll accents on the left.”
Lot 89: Pat Garrett Presentation Engraved Colt 1877 Thunderer Revolver – Historic Well-Documented “Soft Shipped,” New York Engraved, Gold Washed, and Presentation Inscribed Colt Model 1877 Thunderer Double Action Revolver with Solid German Silver Grips Presented to Legendary Western Lawman Pat Garrett, Killer of “Billy The Kid”, by His El Paso Friends. (n.d.). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved July 16, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4092/89/pat-garrett-presentation-engraved-colt-1877-thunderer-revolver.
