Source: ATF P 5300.11 · Curios or Relics List · Jan 1972 – Apr 20253,573 entries · 4 sections
The C&R RegisterA finding aid to the ATF Curios or Relics List, for Type 03 collectors
C&R · II · 143

Colt Lightning double-action revolver, 1899–1909

Section II: curio or relic, still subject to the Gun Control Act

Official wording

ATF P 5300.11 · APRIL 2025 EDITION · SECTION II · VERBATIM · PDF P. 6 ↗

Colt, Lightning Model double action revolver, any cal., mfd. between 1899 and 1909.

What this entry requires

  • ATF REQUIRESMade 1899–1909 (ATF’s dates)ATF: “mfd. between 1899 and 1909”

Editorial facts · Our research

Country
United StatesBasis: outside reference ¹
Manufacturer
Colt's Patent Fire Arms Mfg. Co.Basis: the ATF wording
Type
PistolBasis: the ATF wording
Action
OtherBasis: outside reference ²
Caliber
Any caliberBasis: the ATF wording
Made
1899–1909Basis: the ATF wording
Service
Commercial

Source

Official wording
ATF P 5300.11, April 2025 edition · Section II · PDF p. 6 ↗ · ATF original ↗
Entries
1 line
Verbatim check
Checked against the PDF text before every release
Editorial facts
Confidence: High · Last revised 18 October 2026 (Evidence pass) · How we rate confidence
References
  1. 1. Wikipedia, “Colt M1877” ↗, country: infobox origin United States
  2. 2. Wikipedia, “Colt M1877” ↗, action: infobox action Double-action revolver
Fact tags
  • ATF the ATF wording states it.
  • REF ¹ an outside reference supports it; the number points to the list of references.
  • ESTIMATE an approximate or indirect reading, for example the production range of the base model.
  • NO CITATION we haven’t attached a reference for this fact; it’s our editorial reading, not ATF’s.
Source checked
20 October 2026: ATF’s page still lists the April 2025 edition
Corrections
None

Historical context

Colt Lightning double-action revolver, 1899–1909

Image: Wikimedia Commons, “Colt 1877 Lightning.JPG” by Hmaag, CC BY-SA 3.0. Retrieved October 2026.

Summary: Wikipedia, “Colt M1877”. Text CC BY-SA 4.0.

FROM WIKIPEDIA

The Colt M1877 was a double-action revolver manufactured by Colt's Patent Fire Arms from January 1877 until 1909 for a total of 166,849 revolvers. The Model 1877 was offered in three calibers, which lent them three unofficial names: the "Thunderer", the "Lightning", and the "Rainmaker". The principal difference between the models was the cartridge for which they were chambered: for the "Thunderer", .41 Long Colt; for the "Lightning", .38 Long Colt; and for the "Rainmaker", .32 Long Colt. All of the models had a six-round capacity.