Colt Lightning Slide Action rifle with factory engraving, gold-washed/nickel-plated receiver and fancy grain, checkered, pistol grip stock. This rifle is pictured on page 494 of "THE BOOK OF COLT ENGRAVING VOLUME ONE" and pages 472 and 497 of "THE BOOK OF COLT FIREARMS" by R.L. Wilson. In "THE BOOK OF COLT FIREARMS" Wilson states that fewer than 40 Lightning rifles were factory engraved and that engraved Colt Lighting rifles are "EXTREME RARITIES". In "THE BOOK OF COLT ENGRAVING", Wilson describes this rifle as "One of the finest known Lightning rifles". The rifle is accompanied by a Colt factory letter that describes the features as: Caliber: 32/20, Barrel shape: Octagon, Finish: Blue, Type of stocks: Walnut Fancy Pistol Grips and Factory Engraved: Gold Engraved Frame. The letter states that this rifle was shipped to Semple & Hills in Minneapolis Minnesota, on August 11, 1886. The receiver, trigger guard, tang and buttplate feature American style scroll engraving executed by Cuno A. Helfricht. The left side of the receiver has a detailed game scene with a hunter and a two elk. The Rampant Colt trademark is hand engraved on the top of the receiver and the serial number is engraved in script on the lower tang. The stock and forearm are deluxe, highly figured, fancy grain walnut. The forearm, sides and bottom of the pistol grip have fine checkering. The bottom of the stock has an oval silver inlay. The stock and forearm have a high polish piano finish. The octagon barrel and 15-shot magazine are blued. The barrel has a gold-plated beach folding combination globe and post front sight and a buckhorn, sporting style rear sight. A folding graduated peep sight is mounted on the receiver tang. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line Colt Hartford address with five patent dates ahead of the rear sight. "32 CAL" is boldly stamped in script on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver.

Very fine. The rifle retains 70% of the faded, original blue finish. Strong traces of the delicate gold wash over the "bubbled" up, thick nickel plated underlayment, are present on the receiver. The fire blue slide and receiver screws have nearly all of the original finish. The hammer has vivid case colors. The scroll work, Rampant Colt trademark and detailed game scene are crisp. The highly figured walnut stock and forearm are in excellent condition. The checkering on the forearm and pistol grip is sharp. Nearly all of the high polish piano finish is present on the stock and forearm; wear is limited to a few very minor handling marks. This is an extremely rare and very well documented example of a deluxe, factory engraved, Colt Lighting Slide Action rifle that would be an important addition to the finest collection of Colt firearms.