Manufactured in 1887 in 40-60-260 which was the smallest of the Large Frame calibers. The barrel has a German silver Rocky Mountain blade front sight, standard two-line address and patent marking, an adjustable sporting rear sight, "L BRAMES" stamped on the right and left flats, and the caliber designation in script on the upper left flat at the breech. The receiver has the Rampant Colt emblem on the left side. It is mounted with a multi-point checkered forearm and smooth buttstock with rifle buttplate and "L BRAMES" on the both sides of the butt. The Colt Lightning rifles were Colt's most successful attempt to compete with Winchester, Remington, Marlin, and others in the lucrative repeating rifle market but were still sold in relatively small numbers despite being very fast actions and reliable. These "Express Model" rifles were the rarest of the series, and only 6,496 were manufactured in 1887-1894 compared to nearly 90,000 each of the Small and Medium frame versions. The significance of the added markings are unknown.

Very good overall with 40% plus original blue finish, gray and brown patina on the balance, some minor oxidation, mild edge wear with spots of cold blue touch up visible on barrel and magazine tube immediately rear of the muzzle. Slight slivers absent from the smooth buttstock below the hammer, crisp checkering, and distinct factory markings. Mechanically excellent.