Manufactured in 1888. It has a dovetailed beaded blade front sight and an adjustable sporting style rear sight. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and patent dates. The upper left flat has the caliber designation at the breech. The Rampant Colt trademark is roll-stamped on the left side of the receiver. The serial number is stamped on the lower receiver tang. The Lightning Express Rifle was Colt's attempt to compete with the Winchester Model 1876 and Model 1886 heavy caliber rifles. Production of Lightning Express rifles was limited, and surviving examples are scarce.

Fine. 40% plus of the original blue finish remains, and a brown patina is on the balance along with limited spots of oxidation. There are numerous small dings and scratches. The wood is fine. There is sharp checkering, a crack, and a large chip of wood missing on the right underside of the pump handle. The buttstock is smooth with only a few pressure marks and light scratches. The action functions fine. The magazine tube appears to be modified and missing the follower. Correction: The barrel has also been bored out to a smooth bore and it now measures as a 48 caliber bore.