Proofhouse.com has Colt sn data.
The Colt 1877 lightning with that serial number was manufactured in 1888,about 121 years ago.
You will have to call Colt with the sn to find out.
My records indicate that your 45 colt single action army was made in 1883.
A single action pisstol, such as the Colt 1911, requires that the hammer be manually cocked before firing the first shot. Double action pistols, such as the P38, do not- pulling the trigger will cause the hammer to rise and fall, without being manually cocked. This also applies to single action revolvers, such as the Colt Peacemaker, and the double action S&W Model 66 Combat Masterpiece.
A nice pistol
about 1908
Need a better description. Is it a pistol or revolver? What are the markings on the barrel or slide? is it a single action(cowboy gun)? is a double action(police gun)?
made about 1897
This is a handgun, either revolver or automatic, which requires manual cocking of the hammer to fire the gun. Examples include the Colt Single Action Army (the classic cowboy gun) for revolvers and the Model 1911 for automatics. A double action pistol will cock the hammer and fire the gun simply by pulling the trigger.
Single Action.
You need the assistance of a gunsmith.
Well, yes and no. The traditional "Western" revolver, such as a Colt Peacemaker, was a single action. However, the Colt Lightning and the Thunderer were double action. High Standard also made revolvers that were similar in appearance to the Colt Peacemaker, but were double action. And there must be more. The Starr Double Action .44 black powder cap and ball revolver began production in the late 1850s.