Make: Colt

Model: Lightning Magazine Rifle, Large Frame

Serial Number: 346

Year of Manufacture: 1887

Caliber: .40-60-260

Action Type: Slide Action Tube Magazine Fed Rifle

Barrel Length: 28", Tapered Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight, none present.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are walnut with two-piece checkered slide-handle, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. The wrist has small losses at the top-front corners and cracks at the rear of the tangs. There are some open grain-lines in the stock, most notable in a knot near the heel on the right side. The checkering shows some wear, ranging from well defined to smoothed, but visible. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has been polished to white, showing some minor surface erosion and scratches. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts match. Stock mounting screw is a replacement.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is erosion and minor pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The tangs show damage around the stock mounting screw, the screw is a replacement. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most notable finish wear is in the receiver which shows some polishing on the chamber ring and tangs. The barrel and magazine retain generally strong finish with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is infrequent erosion on the receiver and the left flat has a notable scratch at the rampant colt. There are some spots of oxidation and most worn areas are going to a light patina. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are generally clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good 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: 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 large frame guns were by far the fewest produced with just 6,496 coming off the line. 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. Today these guns are among the most sought after of this particular family tree.

This example is from the first year of production for large-frame rifles, serial 346 and looks good for its age. The rifle is chambered for the .40-60-260 cartridge, essentially a Winchester .40-65 dimensionally and also similar to the .40-60 Marlin. We do not see these often, and when they do they always garner interest. Please see our pictures and good luck!