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LOT 1104
Exceptionally Rare
Colt Deluxe Lightning
Small Frame Slide Action
Rifle - Serial no. 10160, 22 RF cal., 24 inch
round bbl., blue finish, deluxe checkered walnut stock. A little under
90,000 of the small frame were manufactured between 1887-1904.
The vast majority of those would have featured the standard stock and
pump handle. The Lightning rifle was very popular in foreign markets,
giving Colt a worldwide distribution as demonstrated with this London
proofed example. They were finely made, handsomely designed and very
durable, and many Lightning rifles are still being used today. Colt was very serious about the Lightning rifles and they were offered with many extra special order
features. Anything a customer wanted was available on the Lightning rifles. Consider a “working gun,” however, meant customers were not inclined to spend extra
money on special order features like deluxe wood. As a high condition deluxe variation with pistol grip stock, this slide action is a rare, standout piece to the Lightning
model series. Deluxe configurations are often missing from even the most advanced collections. In speaking to the rarity of special order examples encountered in
Lighting production, the late Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson noted that pistol grip stocks were “available on special order, but only a very few were manufactured”
and those that left the factory with deluxe stocks stand at “a few arms.”
Manufactured in 1889. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail beaded blade front sight by Lyman and an elevation adjustable rear sight. The barrel is stamped with the two-line
Hartford address/patent dates legend on the top flat ahead of the rear sight and the caliber designation “22 Cal” on the upper left flat at the breech. London proofs are stamped
on the lower left barrel flat and left side of the frame at the breech. The serial number is marked on the lower tang. The upper tang has two additional drilled and tapped holes for sight mounting
with screws installed. The left side of the frame is stamped with the Rampant Colt. The pump handle and pistol grip stock are highly figured walnut and feature multi-point checkering. The buttstock is fitted with a checkered hard
rubber buttplate with an embossed Rampant Colt and is inlaid with a blank German silver inscription oval on the underside.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 90% original blue finish with minor scratches on the receiver. Striking original case colors remain on the hammer. The wood is very fine showing scattered minor dings and scratches along
with overall crisp checkering and most of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. A rare deluxe Colt Lightning .22 rifle that will make a grand statement to any Colt collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
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