# 40971121

Exceptional Antique Special Order Colt Deluxe Medium Frame Lightning Slide Action Rifle with Highly Desirable Casehardened Frame and Factory Letter

$ 28499.99

Manufactured in 1885, this exceptional Colt Lightning rifle is a very scarce special-order deluxe example with desirable factory-documented features, outstanding collector appeal, and direct shipment provenance to Hartley & Graham of New York. Its rare configuration, fancy pistol-grip stock, Lyman sight notation, and matching serial-numbered components make it a standout piece for advanced Colt and Old West firearms collectors.

Manufactured by Colt in 1885
Very scarce special-ordered deluxe Colt Lightning rifle
Documented by included Colt factory letter
Factory letter confirms:
- Caliber: .32-20
- Finish: blue
- Stock: fancy pistol-grip stock
- Barrel length: not listed
- Shipped to Hartley & Graham in New York
- Shipment date: 27 November 1885
- Listed as the only gun of its type in the shipment
- Shipped with Lyman sights
Desirable Medium Frame Colt Lightning configuration:
- Medium Frame Lightning rifles were widely used in the American West
- Chambered in calibers also offered in the Colt Single Action Army revolvers
- This allowed owners to carry a fast-shooting rifle and a dependable sidearm using the same ammunition
- The .32-20 cartridge is especially appreciated for low recoil and strong accuracy
Collector-significant markings:
- Top flat of the barrel has the standard two-line Colt address and patent dates
- Caliber marking appears at the breech
- Leading portion of the barrel address is slightly soft due to a worn-out rollmark
- Left side of the frame is marked with the Rampant Colt
Matching serial-numbered components:
- Serial number is marked on the lower tang
- Also marked on the underside of the upper tang
- Also marked inside the buttplate
- Also faintly penciled on the butt of the stock
Sights and sighting equipment:
- Fitted with a Lyman-type beaded blade front sight
- Front sight bead is absent
- Equipped with a replacement Winchester Model 1873 folding ladder rear sight
- Combination peep sight mounted on the upper tang
- Factory letter notes shipment with Lyman sights, adding to its special-order desirability
Deluxe wood and furniture:
- Very finely figured slide handle
- Multi-point checkering on the slide handle
- Fancy pistol-grip stock
- Blank German silver escutcheon on the bottom of the stock
- Crescent buttplate
Collectibility highlights:
- Early 1885 production Colt Lightning with factory-letter documentation
- Special-order deluxe configuration
- Shipped as the only gun of its type in the recorded shipment
- Desirable .32-20 chambering tied to both Colt rifles and Colt Single Action Army revolvers
- Strong Old West association through the widely used Medium Frame Lightning platform
- Matching-number details and factory-documented features make this a particularly appealing acquisition for serious Colt collectors

Condition

Exceptionally fine, retains 85% of the original blue finish, 80% of the vibrant original case colors, and 75% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the balance mostly grey patina, primarily on edges and high spots, and a small patch of light pitting. The wood is very fine with a few scattered minor dings and mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.