Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Colt Lightning Medium Frame slide action rifle chambered in .38-40 W.C.F., with a 26" octagonal barrel and serial number 32970, dating production to 1888. It is an attractive antique example with strong surviving barrel and magazine tube blue, a mellow gray blue receiver patina, very good walnut stocks, and a crisp action.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The serial number:

32970

is stamped on the trigger guard tang and indicates 1888 production. The 26" octagonal barrel is marked:

.38 Cal.

indicating chambering in .38-40 Winchester Center Fire. The rifle is fitted with a flat top adjustable rear sight and a traditional blade front sight.

The top of the barrel is clearly marked:

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 action presently cycles crisply and dry fires with a tight feel. The magazine system has not been tested with cartridges, so no statement is made regarding feeding function. These observations describe only the rifle’s present mechanical state and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

The metalwork remains in good antique condition with no obvious signs of major restoration. Much of the original blue finish survives on the barrel and magazine tube, while the receiver and action have largely faded to a gray blue patina from wear. There is evidence of old peppering on the receiver, with more noticeable oxidation wear around the trigger guard tang.

The bore is in very good present condition, remaining mostly bright with clearly visible lands and grooves. There is evidence of old fouling and oxidation that has since been cleaned, but the rifling remains well defined and substantially intact.

The walnut stocks are in very good condition and have developed a rich red brown tone from age and oiling. The forearm is somewhat darker and shows scattered scratches on both sides, with attractive figure especially visible on the left. The buttstock is lighter in tone and displays pronounced flame figure, particularly on the right side. No major cracks, chips, or structural repairs are noted.

With its 1888 production date, .38-40 W.C.F. chambering, 26" octagonal barrel, strong surviving blue, crisp slide action, clear Colt barrel markings, very good rifled bore, and figured walnut stocks, this is a strong example of a Colt Lightning Medium Frame rifle. The old receiver peppering, trigger guard tang oxidation, forearm scratching, and untested magazine feeding are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Colt Lightning, antique slide action rifle, .38-40 W.C.F., Old West era sporting arms, or advanced 19th century American firearms collection.

Specifications:-
Year of Manufacture: 1888
Manufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company
Model: Lightning Repeating Rifle - Medium Frame
Serial No.: 32970
Caliber: .38-40 Winchester
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 26 Inches
Overall Length: 43 Inches
Action type: Slide Action Repeater
Feed System: 15-round tube magazine

More on the Colt Lightning Rifle:

The Colt Lightning Magazine Rifle was a slide-action (pump-action) rifle manufactured by Colt from 1884 to 1904 and was originally chambered in .44-40 caliber. Colt eventually made the Lightning Rifle in three different frame sizes, to accommodate a wide range of cartridges, from .22 Short caliber and .38-40 to .50-95 Express. Its profile somewhat resembles the pump-action rimfire rifles made by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company and Remington Arms. The Lightning saw use as a sporting arm in America and was adopted for use by the San Francisco Police Department, but was never as popular or as reliable as the various lever-action rifles of its day.

The medium-frame Colt Lightning Magazine Rifle was manufactured between 1884 and 1904. It was the first slide-action rifle offered by Colt. Colt records indicate 89,777 were produced, in .32-20, .38-40, and .44-40 as a companion arm to the Colt Single Action Army revolver. Two versions were offered: a rifle with a 26 in (66 cm) barrel and 15-round magazine, and a carbine with a 20 in (51 cm) barrel and 12-round magazine.

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are no able to ship these to the United Kingdom.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.