September 20th 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/19/2015
.45-85-285 caliber with a 30" barrel. A total of 6,496 large frame Colt Lightning slide action rifles were manufactured between 1887 and 1894. Rarely do you find these scarce rifles in any condition, let alone one such as this. More rare still are those found with any special order features. This is one such rifle. Features a 30" full octagon barrel, rather than the standard 28". Standard features include full magazine, blued finish, deluxe checkered pump handle and rifle crescent buttplate. Standard sights include original German nickel knife front and an original sporting rear. The barrel retains approximately 85% original factory blue with sharp edges, thinning on high edges and muzzle, with some very minor age freckling. The tube is a pleasing mix of blue patina with some minor freckling. There is some original high polish factory blue in the recesses of the frame, but is basically a brown gun metal patina. Screws are very good, original with light burring. Stocks are excellent, original with no cracks, and a vast majority of the original dark finish. Two minor chips at tang. Buttplate is patina. Bolt retains 85% of the original factory high polish blue. Action is perfect. Strong bore with light frosting. Checkered forearm is excellent with no cracks. Still has fire blue on forend screw heads. Extremely nice all original large caliber large frame Lightning rifle.