I have a Colt DA 41, patent stamp of Jan 19, 1875, ser#11233...

I have a Colt DA 41, patent stamp of Jan 19, 1875, ser#11233 have checked several forums, but can't determine name (Lightning, Thunderer, etc.) www.proofhouse's earliest listing is 1877 Lightning but this has earlier patent date. Trying to find info for a widow who had no idea her husband had this piece.

The 38 was called the lighting.yours the 41 was called the thunder.made from 1878-1909 yours was made in 1878-79.you may want to contact colt and get a letter on this one.acording to my book from r.l.wilson thats when it was made.you may have some thing there.dont fire it!!!

show me some pics if you can.just to make sure thats what you have.I just sold my 38 lighting for $1000 it was made in 1905.if i think thats the gun you have in the year it was made it can be worth thousands.if it was made in the year that my book says its a blackpowder frame = more cash in good working order.dont fire smokeless powder in this untill you find out the date, very dangerous!!!

Thanks for the reply
The finish is in REALLY poor condition, especially the cylinder, where there is little if any metallic finish left. Looks like it was fired and never cleaned. And the action is broken...
Just holding something that was made that long ago, combined with the fact that it was fired repeatedly id a thrill in itself.
I'll take some pics and send after xmas.
Thanks again
Joe

I also have a Colt D.A. 41 with the date Sept 19,1871 stamped between the trigger and the cylinder. It has the serial #123742 on both the base of the butt, end of the trigger guard, and on the trigger guard itself. This was my grandfathers gun from Oklahoma and was last fired at the end of WW II. It is single action and in working order although I wouldn't dare fire it. Do you have any information about it? I would love to know more. I tried to attach a picture but wasn't allowed due to the size of the pic. If you want the pic, either give me an email address or write me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it