This Model 1883 Colt Lightning saddle ring Carbine in 44-40 cal was manufactured in 1885. Factory letter accompanying this rifle confirms its configuration of caliber, serial number, blue finish, and wood stock. The letter states this carbine was shipped on October 29, 1885, to famous Texas rancher Thomas O'Connor in a shipment of 20 carbines to Laredo, Texas, on October 29, 1885. O'Connor was an immigrant born in Ireland in 1819 and later sailed to Texas in 1834. Soon after he arrived, the Mexican government granted him 4,428 acres as a settler in the Power and Hewetson colony. The following year, 1835, he joined the Texas cause against Mexico. O'Connor was a signer of the Goliad Declaration of Independence and later a member of R.J. Calder's company. He was the youngest man at age 17 to participate in the Battle of San Jacinto. O'Connor eventually became one of the original and wealthiest land owners, accumulating 500,000 fenced in acres and 100,000 head of cattle. When he died in 1887, his estate was valued at 4.5 million dollars. Additional information includes O'Connor bringing barb wire into the area, hitting oil while drilling for water for his cattle, and the discovery of a large oil field on this ranch. This is a nice example of a medium frame Colt Lighting saddle ring carbine that saw authentic honest use at the famous O'Connor ranch. Fixed front sight with an installed sporting leaf folding rear sight. The barrel is marked "COLT'S PT.F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A /+ELLIOTS PATENTS MAY 29. 1883. SEPT. 18. 1883+". Saddle ring and staple on the left side of the frame. Finished with a checkered forearm and smooth straight grip stock with a steel carbine buttplate. Included is a bullet mold marked "IDEAL. M'F'G.Co/New Haven. CT. U.S.A./44.C.M.R /& W.C.F."

Very good plus with 20% thinning original blue finish on the barrel and the balance is now a mottled brown patina on high points with some scattered scratches and handling marks. The receiver is mostly an even dark plumb brown patina with traces of original blue in protected areas exhibiting high edge wear and minor surface scratches. The wood is very good showing casual wear with pressure marks scattered. The forearm has a small hairline crack on the right side. A nice carbine with great Texas history!