Make: Colt

Model: Lightning Magazine Rifle, Medium Frame Carbine

Serial Number: 2732

Year of Manufacture: 1884

Caliber: .44 CLMR, .44-40 Winchester

Action Type: Pump Action, Tube Magazine Fed Rifle

Barrel Length: 20", Tapered Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to a rectangular base, fixed to the front of the barrel behind the front barrel band. The rear sight is a Colt Lightning Carbine sight, dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The sight presents a “V”-notch when folded down. When folded up, the sight has a “V”-notched slider on a ladder marked from 2-9. The slider is alternately tight and loose to the ladder depending on where it is.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are walnut with a two-piece border-carved slide handle, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine buttplate. The inside of the buttplate is stamped "2092" at the toe and there are paper spacers in between the stock and plate. The stock has been re-profiled between the front of the comb and the tang with some small losses at the front of the wrist. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a cluster of dings along the top of the left slide handle panel. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a moderate patina with wear at the heel and toe as well as some erosion on the tang. The slide handle appears original, the buttstock has been refinished and/or replaced. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as antique.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The tangs are serial-matching, the buttplate is non-matching, the hammer may be a replacement.

Bore Condition: The bore is dark, the rifling is generally well defined. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 3% of its metal finish. The trigger guard has a slot for a bolt-lock switch, none is present. Exposed surfaces have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. The hammer has notably stronger finish, possibly indicating replacement. There is infrequent finish visible on interior surfaces. There is some scattered light oxidation and infrequent erosion. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches including tool marks at some screw heads. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete, faint remnants of the rampant colt are present on the receiver. Overall, this rifle is in Good-plus condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: Around the 1880s, Colt was looking to diversify but Remington and Winchester had the rifle market sewn up. Colt concentrated on a pump action and in 1884 introduced a gun with an action that was so slick and so fast, they dubbed it the "Lightning". Its designer William H. Elliot lived in Ilion, NY and initially took it to Remington. When Remington didn't bite, he sent a letter to Colt, who loved it. The Lightning came in three varieties, small, medium, and large. The medium frame were chambered for .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40 Winchester calibers, with ammunition already being produced. Ultimately, the rifle was discontinued as Winchester and Colt came to the agreement that Winchester would produce rifles, Colt would produce handguns, and nobody needed to make the competition ugly.

This example is a quite early production medium frame chambered for .44-40. It is a desirable Carbine model with a 20" round barrel, saddle ring on the receiver, and carbine sights and buttplate. The rifle is showing its age, having had the buttplate and likely the stock replaced. It will make for a nice example of the Colt Lightning Carbine and would be an excellent addition to any safe in America. Please see our pictures and good luck!