Manufactured in 1890. While no factory letter is available due to serial number records being lost or destroyed, the 18 inch barrel on this carbine features the correct two-line Colt Hartford address/patent dates legend ahead of the rear sight and the caliber designation "44 Cal" on the left side. The standard barrel length for this type of carbine was 20 inches, although Colt accommodated paying customers with variations of barrel lengths to its line of Lightnings. Colt historian R.L. Wilson noted, "The shortest rifle length was 18 inches" (see "The Book of Colt Firearms," page 496). Carbine barrel lengths shorter than 20 inches are rare, and Wilson went on to note that these shorter carbine barrel lengths, which he listed as 8, 10 1/2, 15, and 16 inches, were generally reserved for baby carbines (see page 499). The barrel on this carbine is certainly of the period and then shortened during the restoration process. Fitted with standard carbine sights. The Rampant Colt on the left side of the receiver is restamped. A saddle ring is mounted on the left side of the receiver. The buttstock is smooth walnut, and the forearm is checkered walnut. The barrel and magazine tube are blued, and the receiver, trigger guard, and buttplate are nickel plated. Weight: 5 lb. 3.8 oz.

Very fine as professionally restored with nearly all of the two tone blue and nickel finishes remaining, a few handling marks, and mostly crisp forearm checkering. Mechanically functions. A very attractive Colt Lightning Medium Frame Baby Carbine.