{"product_id":"original-u-s-colt-small-frame-22-cal-lightning-pump-action-magazine-rifle-made-in-1896-serial-24012","title":"Original U.S. Colt Small Frame .22 Cal. Lightning Pump Action Magazine Rifle made in 1896 - Serial 24012","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice Colt Lightning Magazine Slide-Action Rifle, which looks to have had the metalwork and stocks tastefully refinished during the mid 20th century. The serial number \u003cstrong\u003e24012\u003c\/strong\u003e stamped on the trigger guard indicates a \"Small Frame\" Lightning Magazine Rifle manufactured in \u003cstrong\u003e1896\u003c\/strong\u003e, as they had a different sequence than the \"Large Frame\". The 24\" Octagonal barrel is marked \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e22 Cal\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003c\/em\u003eon the left side of the chamber, indicating that the rifle is in .22 rimfire, a popular \"plinker\" and gallery gun cartridge, also used for training. These were made in both .22 Long and Short, but we are not able to determine the chambering of this example. It features a nice aftermarket \"flat-top\" sight with an adjustment screw and a front sight with a replaced blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the barrel is marked with the manufacturer information, which is deeply stamped and clear:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePATENTED MAY 29.SEPT 18.83 MAY 26.85. JUNE 15.86. FEB.22.87.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered with a crisp tight action in fully functional condition. The metalwork is still lovely, retaining the dark blued refinish very well on the receiver, while the barrel, magazine tube, and other hardware have faded to a nice gray patina. The Colt \"Prancing Pony\" on the left side of the action has however been completely worn away, as the marking is not very deep into the metal. The stocks are in lovely condition, showing the great red-brown color of aged and oiled walnut. There is some great grain to the butt stock, and the fore stock shows beautiful \"flame\" figuring with a high level of chatoyancy. The original Colt \"Prancing Pony\" hard rubber butt plate is in lovely condition, showing light wear but no cracks or repairs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe action cycles well, with a crisp dry fire, though we have no way to check to see if it still feeds correctly.  We checked the magazine, and it slides out properly to the right in front of the receiver for loading. We checked the bore, and it shows a mostly bright finish with rifling still visible, though it is quite worn, so this is a rifle that saw a lot of use, but was well cared for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely early Colt slide action design rifle in the popular .22cal with a great look, ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1896\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .22\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Rimfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 24 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 41 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Slide Action Repeater\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: tube magazine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore on the Colt Lightning Rifle:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTE:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44941401686085,"sku":"ONAC26BMA16","price":1595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/DE773B19-033F-46C8-A3C4-6191109F3E8F.jpg?v=1777483440","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-colt-small-frame-22-cal-lightning-pump-action-magazine-rifle-made-in-1896-serial-24012","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}