This is an exceptional original example of a Colt Burgess Lever Action rifle that was manufactured in 1885. The rifle is accompanied by a Colt factory letter that describes the features as:"Caliber:.44-40, Barrel Length: 25 1/2"-inch octagon, Finish: Blue" and "Stock: Wood". The letter states this rifle was shipped to the E.C. Meacham Arms Co., in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 28, 1885, as part of a ten gun shipment of Colt Burgess rifles. The rifle has a octagon barrel with full length magazine. The barrel has the standard nickel-silver 'Rocky Mountain' front sight blade and sporting style buckhorn rear sight. The receiver has the distinctive sliding loading gate and oval ejection port. The crescent buttplate has a sliding brass trap. The barrel, magazine, and receiver have the high polish Colt commercial blue finish. The bolt, loading gate, trigger and screws have a niter blue finish. The forearm cap, hammer, loading lever and buttplate are color casehardened. The stock and forearm are oil-finished walnut. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line address and patent dates: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD.CT. U.S.A . / +PAT.JAN.7.73.OCT.19.75.APR.1.79.DEC.7.80. DEC.13.81. JAN.3.82+". The Rampant Colt trademark is roll-stamped on the left side of the receiver. The serial number, 4411" is stamped on the lower tang behind the trigger. The Colt-Burgess rifle was the only lever action firearm manufactured in quantity by Colt. Only 6,403 Colt-Burgess rifles and carbines were manufactured before Colt discontinued production in 1885. Examples of this rifle in very fine condition are seldom, if ever encountered.