Original U.S. Colt Medium Frame .38-40 W.C.F. Lightning Pump Action Magazine Rifle made in 1891 - Serial 61474

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a most attractive Colt Lightning Magazine Slide-Action Rifle, with a lovely Antique glow around it. The serial number 61474 stamped on the trigger guard indicates manufacture in 1891. The 26" Octagonal barrel is marked .38 Cal. above the chamber, indicating that this rifle is in .38-40 Winchester, a popular caliber of the time for both rifles and revolvers. It features a nice "Semi-Buckhorn" rear sight, with the classic blade front sight.

The top of the barrel is marked with the manufacturer information, which is clear:

COLT'S PT F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.
PATENTED MAY 29.SEPT 18.83.MAY 26 85.JUNE 15.86.FEB 22.87.

Offered with a crisp tight action in fully functional condition. The rifle cycles well, with a crisp dry fire, though we have no way to check to see if the magazine will feed. Metal work is good, showing no signs of major restoration, with a lovely antique patina. The original blued finish on the barrel has faded to a great plum patina, and the barrel markings are fully legible. The action still shows some of the original "Niter Bluing" in areas, while the balance shows a mottled patina.

The bore is in very good condition. showing a mostly bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is evidence of past fouling and oxidation, now cleaned away, but overall we would rate this about 7 out of 10. We often see these close to shot out, so still having clear rifling is a rarity.

Stocks are in very good condition, showing great brain and the lovely red brown color of aged walnut. They look to have been finished long ago, which is very well retained and really makes the grain pop. There is no major damage or cracks to the stock wood that we can see.

A great example of an early Slide / Pump action rifle, ready for display!

Specifications:-
Year of Manufacture: 1891
Caliber: .38-40 Winchester
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 26 Inches
Overall Length: 43 Inches
Action type: Slide Action Repeater
Feed System: 15-round tube magazine

More on the Colt Lightning Rifle:

The Colt Lightning Magazine Rifle was a slide-action (pump-action) rifle manufactured by Colt from 1884 to 1904 and was originally chambered in .44-40 caliber. Colt eventually made the Lightning Rifle in three different frame sizes, to accommodate a wide range of cartridges, from .22 Short caliber and .38-40 to .50-95 Express. Its profile somewhat resembles the pump-action rimfire rifles made by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company and Remington Arms. The Lightning saw use as a sporting arm in America and was adopted for use by the San Francisco Police Department, but was never as popular or as reliable as the various lever-action rifles of its day.

The medium-frame Colt Lightning Magazine Rifle was manufactured between 1884 and 1904. It was the first slide-action rifle offered by Colt. Colt records indicate 89,777 were produced, in .32-20, .38-40, and .44-40 as a companion arm to the Colt Single Action Army revolver. Two versions were offered: a rifle with a 26 in (66 cm) barrel and 15-round magazine, and a carbine with a 20 in (51 cm) barrel and 12-round magazine.

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.