Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Didn’t Darth Vader have a lightsaber, and was that a Magnum P.I. reference?” Yes and yes.
Darth Vader used a red lightsaber, an elegant weapon for a more civilized age (never mind the mass murder he committed with it), and Tom Selleck is the man.
On the topic of legendary actors, the late James Earl Jones voiced the iconic Sith Lord from the first Star Wars film in 1977 until 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker” (he granted permission to use AI to generate Vader’s voice in “Kenobi”)—and it’s his revolver that’s up for sale.
Specifically, Checkpoint Charlie’s in Mosinee, Wisconsin is selling a Colt Model 1877 “Lightning” revolver. Chambered in .38 Long Colt, the double-action, 6-shot wheel gun was manufactured in 1902 and is from the actor’s “Favorites” collection.
Admittedly, the 1877 is not one of Colt’s finer products. The Connecticut manufacturer was slow to embrace double-action revolvers, and the 1877 was the Pony’s first go at the type.
Designed by William Mason, one of the inventors of the famed Colt Single Action Army, the 1877’s double-action mechanism was complicated and delicate. It earned a reputation as an unreliable handgun prone to mistiming. Gun Digest even called it “the worst double-action trigger mechanism ever made.” Still, the “Thunderer” variant in .41 Long Colt was favored by Billy the Kid and carried by Doc Holliday alongside his Single Action Army.
For fans of Jones, who was a Ranger-tabbed Army veteran, the prospect of owning a piece from his personal firearms collection might sound like an unattainable dream. And yes, much of Jones’ collection is selling for more than most troops could even consider dropping on a firearm. Look no further than the former Army officer’s 1900 Swiss Luger listed for over $7,000.
However, Jones’ 1877 is listed for just under $2,000. Yes, that’s still a lot of money to drop on a not-so-great gun. However, as a collector’s piece representing the first double-action revolver made by a truly iconic American manufacturer and owned by a legendary actor, the Colt 1877 is an attractive proposition.
While the revolver shows a level of wear expected of a 124-year-old gun, the rifling is in good condition. Unsurprisingly, the double-action timing is off, but single-action is reported to work… not that you should really be shooting a piece like this.
While Checkpoint Charlie’s has other pieces from the James Earl Jones “Favorites” collection listed on their website, the Colt 1877 represents a bit of a sweet spot. American-made, historically significant, and owned by James Earl Jones himself. It even comes with a certificate of authenticity. Sounds like a good deal to me. Just pray that Checkpoint Charlie’s doesn’t alter the deal.
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