The "Colt Lightning Magazine Rifles" in small, medium, and large frame variations replaced the Burgess lever actions as Colt's repeating rifle offering in the late 19th century. Though they were well-made, like the Burgess, they failed to keep up with Winchester's sales and thus dropped from production by the early 1900s. The included factory letter lists this rifle as part of a shipment of ten guns of this type in ".32 CLMR" with 26 inch round barrels, blue finish, and wood stocks sent to the Birmingham Arms Company in Birmingham, Alabama, on February 19, 1891. It has a German silver front sight, adjustable sporting rear sight, the two-line address and patent marking and the caliber marking on top of the barrel, the Rampant Colt emblem on the left side of the frame, a checkered forearm, smooth buttstock, and steel crescent buttplate. Also included with the lot is a nickel finished Ideal #4 combination bullet mold/capper/seater tool marked for "32 COLTS/LIGHTNING", Ideal #4 box featuring the Colt Lightning on the picture label, and a 50-round box of Union Metallic Cartridge solid head 32 caliber cartridges marked for "COLT'S NEW LIGHTNING MAGAZINE RIFLE" on the lid, containing approximately 37 rounds of "U.M.C/32 C.L.M.R." headstamped ammunition.

Very fine with 80% plus original high polish blue finish, fading mostly along the bottom of the magazine tube and the buttplate, traces of case colors on the hammer, some light scratches and marks throughout, and some slight spotting. The wood is also very fine and has smooth finish, a few broken tops of the otherwise crisp checkering, minor scratches, and some small dents concentrated near the toe. The reloading tool is in very good condition, with minor flaking of the nickel, and the boxes show scuffing and edge wear. The cartridges show lead oxide buildup on the bullets, and a few of the casings have visibly struck primers. Mechanically excellent.