Product Description
Antique COLT LIGHTNING Pump Action .38-40 WCF Rifle Octagonal Barrel Medium
WILD WEST/FRONTIER Slide Action Rifle Made in 1888
Here we present an antique Colt Lightning Medium Frame Slide Action Rifle, made circa 1888 in Hartford, Connecticut. 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. These came in both a rifle version with a 26 inch barrel that held 15 rounds and a carbine version with a 20 inch barrel that held 12 rounds.
This was Colt’s entry into the pistol caliber rifle and carbine market, which was absolutely dominated by Winchester at this time. Pistol caliber rifles were instrumental in the hands of those settling the West, as they were able to carry one type of ammunition to feed both their long gun and their sidearm. It also enabled a rifle to be stoked with the maximum number of cartridges, sacrificing power for capacity, useful when outnumbered at close range. The Colt Lightning was fairly successful, but never approached the numbers that Winchester’s lever action were able to achieve.
This example is chambered in .38-40 WCF, a very capable cartridge with ballistic similarity to the modern .40 S&W cartridge. This made a great companion rifle to go along with one’s “Colt Single Action Army” when out in the wilderness.
The overall condition is good. Gray patina throughout. The action is excellent. The bore is bright with decent rifling and a spot of mild pitting. The stock shows use and has been modestly refinished. There is a small chip at the top corner of the right wrist.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 26 inches.
Caliber: .38-40 Winchester Center Fire
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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$2400
#244551