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Desirable Colt Lightning Large Frame Slide Action Express Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:1,700.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Desirable Colt Lightning Large Frame Slide Action Express Rifle
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Desirable Colt Lightning Large Frame Slide Action Express Rifle

This fine original Colt Lightning Express Rifle was manufactured in 1892 and chambered for the .45-85-285 cartridge. The rifle has a blue barrel, magazine and receiver with casehardened hammer and crescent buttplate. The black walnut stock and forearm have an oil finish and the forearm is checkered. The octagon barrel has a large Rocky Mountain front sight with nickel silver blade and a sporting style rear sight. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the Colt Hartford address and '83-'87 patent dates in two lines. The caliber designation "45-85-285" is boldly engraved of the left barrel flat just ahead of the receiver. The Rampant Colt trademark is roll stamped on the left side of the receiver. The serial number, "6205" is stamped on the lower receiver tang. The Lightning Express Rifle was Colt's attempt to compete with the Winchester Model 1876 and Model 1886 heavy caliber rifles. Production of Lightning Express Rifles was limited and surviving examples are scarce.

Manufacture: Colt
Model: Lightning-Express
BBL: 28 inch octagon
Stock: walnut checkered
Gauge: 45-85-285
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 6205

Very fine. The rifle retains 70% of the original slightly faded blue finish overall. Much of the blue finish remains on the barrel. The finish on the magazine tube is thin and the tube has some scattered surface rust and one small dent. The high polish blue on the receiver shows most of the wear on the right side with scattered light scratches and some minute spots of surface rust. The hammer has most of the muted case colors. The casehardened finish on the buttplate has faded to a silver gray patina. The very fine stock and forearm retain most of the original finish. The checkering on the forearm is crisp. There are some scattered minor, handling marks on the comb and lower portion of the right side of the stock. This is a very fine example of a scarce Colt Lightning Express Slide Action Rifle.