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LOT 1176
Exceptional Special Order Deluxe Colt Lightning Medium Frame Slide Action Rifle with Rare
and Desirable Casehardened Frame - Serial no. 42313, 32 cal., 26 3/4 inch part octagon
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, highly figured checkered walnut pistol grip stock. In the 1880s
Colt’s revolvers were extremely popular, but Remington and Winchester had the rifle market cornered. Colt
needed to find a way to get their foot in and what better way could they have done this than by designing a rifle
specifically to compliment their revolvers? The result was three sizes of Colt Lighting rifles which were the first
slide action rifles developed by Colt and were chambered for the same cartridges used in the Single Action
Army. Colt proclaimed “Nothing was faster than lightning!” The capable rifles have a short pump action
that allow for quick follow up shots. One trick was to hold the trigger and pump the action
for “lightning” fast shots. The smaller framed version was great for target practice, and the
larger frames could handle big game, but the medium framed rifles, such as this one, were
great all around. Equipped with a revolver and a rifle capable of firing the same rounds,
a man could feed his family and, if need be, defend them at close and long range. This
exceptional example was manufactured in 1890 with deluxe special order features. It has a
dovetailed beaded blade front sight, adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight, and a short range
peep sight on the upper tang. It also features a half length magazine tube and the rarely
seen and highly desirable casehardened frame. The top of the barrel is marked with the
two-line address/patent dates ahead of the rear sight on the round portion and “32 Cal.” on
the top flat at the breech. The serial number is marked on the lower tang. It is mounted with
a deluxe multi-point checkered highly figured walnut forearm and pistol grip stock with a steel
crescent buttplate and an initial oval on the bottom of the butt.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel and magazine retain 95% original blue finish with areas thinning to a smooth plum. The receiver
retains 60% plus of the original fading case colors with a smooth dove gray patina on the balance. The loading gate and trigger retain 70%
bright original nitre blue. The wood is excellent with a few scattered minor dents and dings and very crisp checkering. The markings are crisp and clear. Mechanically
excellent. These rifles remain highly prized by their owners as well as collectors and few ever come available in such high condition.
Provenance: The Gateway Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 13,000 - 19,000
LOT 1177
Colt London Agency Shipped
Medium Frame Lightning Slide Action Saddle Ring
Carbine with Factory Letter - Serial no. 24674, 44 WCF cal., 20 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut stock. The included factory letter indicates that this carbine was
part of a 30-piece shipment to the Colt Agency in London, England, on December 1, 1887,
with a 20 inch barrel, blue finish and wood stock. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights, with the
two-line address and Elliot’s patent markings on top of the barrel, “44 Cal.” on the left side, and the Rampant
Colt on the left side of the receiver ahead of the saddle ring. A series of British proofs have been added,
with a “crown/V” on the receiver and barrel, and “crown/GP”, “rampant lion” and “.410 (inverted)” on the
left side of the barrel. The bolt cover is inscribed “E.B./FIONA/1888”; for Emmanuel Boutcher
who built, raced and named two yachts “Fiona”. The presence of the yachts’s name and date
of manufacture of this carbine suggests it was intended to be stored on board the second
“Fiona”, which was built in Gosport in 1879. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep
sight. Checkered forearm and smooth straight wrist buttstock with a smooth steel buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 80% plus bright original high polish blue finish, with areas of
thinning to a brown patina, traditional wear around the saddle ring, mild spotting and light
dings and scratches. The buttstock is fine, with minor chips/cracks behind the tangs, minor
scuffs and dents, and attractive grain and checkering on the very fine forearm.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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