The Lightning slide action rifles were released in 1884 in an effort to get Colt successfully into the repeating rifle market dominated by Winchester, Remington, and Marlin, but ultimately failed to put a dent into the sales of Winchester's well established line of lever action rifles and carbines. These large frame variants were designed with hunters in mind and were available chambered for cartridges as large as .50-95 Express. Even the .38-56 was capable of taking black bears. It was designed by Winchester to offer increased power over the .38-55 cartridge first introduced by Ballard but offered essentially the same ballistic qualities despite the increased powder charge. Included with this rifle is a letter from C. R. Suydam of the National Rifle Association confirming this rifle was manufactured in 1892 and is one of just an estimated 6,500 large frame Lightning rifles manufactured. It has the standard markings and features of the later Lightning rifles and has added multi-point checkering at the wrist on the right.

Very good with period checkered buttstock. The rifle retains 40% of the original finish on the barrel and frame and displays a brown patina on the balance. The slide handle is very good and has mostly crisp checkering and some minor marks. The stock is fair as partially checkered and re-oiled and has some small pressure marks and scratches. The sliding dust cover is bent slightly upward at the rear with corresponding top edge of frame is battered. The action functions fine and the markings are crisp.