The Large Frame Lightnings are the scarcest group of Colt's slide action rifles; only 6,496 of these were manufactured between 1887-1894. This desirable example was manufactured in 1890. The barrel is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and an elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight. The top barrel flat has the two-line Colt legend ahead of the rear sight. The left side of the barrel has the caliber marking, "45-85-285" (essentially an "improved" loading of the .45-70). The purpose of the Express Lightnings was Colt's way to compete with Winchester's Models 1876 and 1886 rifles as well as the various single shot big bore rifles of the day. The left side of the receiver is marked with a Rampant Colt. The slide handle features multi-point checkering. The plain straight grip stock is fitted with a crescent rifle buttplate.

Fine. The receiver retains 70% original blue finish with smooth brown-gray patina on the balance. The barrel and magazine tube retain 85% of the original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance and some scattered light spotting. The buttplate has a gray patina. The buttstock is very good with a hairline crack on the wrist (left side), minor dings and scratches. The forearm has a chip of wood absent on the rear and some softened checkering otherwise. Mechanically excellent.