The accompanying factory letter states this revolver was shipped in a single gun shipment on May 31, 1893, to merchant Walter Tips in Austin, Texas, in .32 caliber, with a 3 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, and type of grips not listed. This is one of only approximately 200 of Colt's Model 1877 revolver that were chambered in .32 Long Colt and nicknamed the "Rainmaker," per Sutherland and Wilson on page 325 of "The Book of Colt Firearms" (1971 publication). Making this specific example even more rare, is the fact that it is in Sheriff's Model configuration, having a 3 1/2 inch barrel and no ejector. Though the nicknames "Rainmaker," (.32 caliber) "Lightning," (.38 caliber) and "Thunderer" (.41 caliber) are all excellent marketing material, they were not names ever actually used by Colt. These nicknames are believed to have been coined by the famous Colt distributor, Benjamin Kittredge, who is also believed to have been responsible for giving the Single Action Army its iconic nickname, "Peacemaker." Walter Tips (1841-1911) was a prosperous hardware merchant located in Austin, Texas, where historical markers still stand where his house and Walter Tips Company hardware store were located, and was notably a Texas state senator between 1893-1896. A native of Germany and a Civil War Confederate Texas veteran, he was also an active civic leader and helped found the Austin National Bank. Tips hardware store was located at 710 Congress Ave in Austin, Texas, and was active starting c. 1872. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line Hartford address, with "COLT. D.A. 32" on the left. The left of the frame has the three-line patent date markings and the circled Rampant Colt. Matching visible serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with no visible number on the cylinder. Assembly number "127" marked on the loading gate. It is fitted with a blade front sight, groove top strap rear sight, and a pair of period correct pearl grips. Provenance: Wally Francis; The Charles Marx Collection