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Colt Lightning 38-40 First Model Pump Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:1,700.00 - 2,800.00 USD
Colt Lightning 38-40 First Model Pump Action Rifle
This lot features a Second Year of Production Colt Lightning .38-40 Caliber First Model Pump Action Rifle. This is the rare First Model with open top receiver and sliding lever safety in the forward part of the trigger guard-safety lever still intact which is extremely unusual as this part is now almost universally missing from surviving examples, correct 26” octagon barrel (round barrel was standard on this model), excellent markings including the early 1883 patent date and Colt Hartford address on the barrel top and the “Rampant Colt” on the left side of the receiver- this stamping is usually worn off especially on early production examples, excellent butt stock and correctly checkered early style forend with very tight wood to metal fit and no evidence of cleaning or sanding, metal parts show an uncleaned natural aged blue to brown patina with better blue in all the more protected areas and no sign of rust or abuse, original buckhorn rear sight with standard blade front sight, fine mechanics and even has an excellent bore! This was Colt’s response to Winchester making repeating lever action rifles in the same caliber as those offered in the famed Colt Single Action Army Revolver. Many frontiersmen preferred to carry their big Colt Revolvers chambered for the same caliber as their repeating rifle- this was Colt’s answer. This example shows extraordinary visual appeal. A great original Colt rifle from the Wild West frontier. This rifle is in the desirable .38-40 caliber with octagon barrel, serial number 7262, made in the second year of production in 1885. Antique firearm. NO FFL transfer or NICS background check required.