The accompanying factory letter lists this rifle with an octagon barrel in .38 CLMR, blue finish, fancy pistol grip maple stock and factory engraving when shipped to A.G. Spalding & Bros., Chicago, Illinois, on April 30, 1897. According to noted Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson, fewer than 40 Lightning rifles were factory engraved, making these rifles extreme Colt rarities. The rifle is listed by serial number on page 271 in Wilson's "The Book of Colt Engraving." According to Wilson, this rifle is one of a group of factory engraved Lightings done in 1897 which some are known to have, like this rifle, an "unusual vine and leaf scroll motif and deluxe pistol grip stock." The work was done by Cuno A. Helfricht and his shop. The vine, grape and leaf scroll motif on this rifle covers the receiver, trigger guard and bolt along with flourishes on receiver and buttplate tangs. The scroll motif surrounds the Rampant Colt trademark on the left side of the receiver. The barrel is equipped with a German silver blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight and is marked with the two-line address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight and "38 Cal." at the breech. The deluxe maple forearm and pistol grip stock feature multi-point checkering which extends to the bottom of the pistol grip.