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Rare Original Special Order Colt Medium Frame Slide Action Lightning Carbine in 44-40 with Nickel Pl

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Carbines Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,500.00 USD
Rare Original Special Order Colt Medium Frame Slide Action Lightning Carbine in 44-40 with Nickel Pl
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Rare Original Special Order Colt Medium Frame Slide Action Lightning Carbine in 44-40 with Nickel Plated Magazine Tube

This is an exceptionally rare medium frame slide action Carbine with a very unusual "nickel plated" magazine tube that is fitted with "factory installed" sling swivels on the buttstock and upper section of the barrel. We have seen several rifles and carbines with half nickel plated finish or all nickel plated finish but never have we seen one with just the magazine tube nickel plated, this is quite unusual. . This exceptional pre-1898 manufactured carbine was shipped in late 1891 with the original short 20 inch round barrel that is marked on top of the barrel: "COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A./PATENTED MAY 29, SEPT. 18, 83, MAY 26, 85, JUNE 15, 86, FEB. 22, 87", the lower left side of the barrel is marked "44 Cal." (44-40). It is fitted with a folding carbine rear sight that is marked on the face "2-9" (200-900 yards) that interestingly enough covers that very last part of the barrel markings, however is all factory original. The front of the barrel has the fixed carbine front sight mounted on the top of the barrel. It is fitted with the correct straight grip carbine buttstock with carbine buttplate with the factory checkered pump handle. The left side of the receiver is marked with the large Rampant Colt factory logo. This excellent little carbine features and Colt high polish blue finish on all the parts, except the magazine tube, that even includes the front sling swivel/barrel band and magazine tube cap screws with a color case hardened hammer. The buttstock and pump handle have an oil finish.

Manufucture: Colt
Model: Lightning
BBL: 20 inch round
Stock: walnut
Guage: 44-40
Finish: blue/nickel plate
Grips:
Serial Number: 60026

Excellent with 90% plus of the original Colt factory blue finish overall with some finish loss on the rear of the lower tang, browning/oxidation on the trigger guard bow and thinning on the barrel. The magazine tube retains 95% of the original nickel plated finish with some light peppery type flaking of the plating on the right side with a small spot that has also flaked off, directly in front the pump handle. The stock and pump handle retain 95% of their oil finish overall showing a nice dark, old age appearance, with some minor handling marks and light scratches on the sides, more from handling that actual use. The checkering on the pump handle is also in fine condition with nice sharp, distinct original checkering overall with a couple of minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Overall this is a unique, scarce Colt Lightning Carbine with special order features.