This extraordinary panel scene engraved Colt Lighting carbine was manufactured in 1885 and was made for presentation to Mexican President Porfirio Diaz (1830-1915, president 1876-1911) and so inscribed. The factory deluxe engraving was executed in the Colt engraving shop by Master Engraver Cuno A. Helfricht. He was Colt's chief engraver from the late percussion era in the 1870s up to 1921 and personally designed, engraved, and/or oversaw the embellishment of some of the most historic Colt firearms in existence, including those owned by presidents Grover Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt, General George S. Patton, and members of the Colt family. The carbine along with its engraving and inscription are illustrated on page 493 of “The Colt Engraving Book Volume One” by R.L. Wilson, where the author notes that less than forty Medium Frame Lightnings were factory engraved. It is one of two Lightning’s engraved for President Diaz. The other is shown on page 500 of the same text and was engraved by Herman L. Ulrich and features related panel scenes. The frame of this carbine features a finely detailed panel scene of a stag based on the painting “The Monarch of the Glen” by Landseer on the right side of the frame, the Rampant Colt in a circular panel on top between the hammer and ejection port, a detailed scene of Buffalo Bill roping an American buffalo on the left side, “Porfo Diaz” inscribed in script on the lower tang, and beautifully executed classic Germanic scroll and floral engraving with beaded backgrounds, small checkered panels, shell accents, and wavy line and dot borders. The engraving also extends to the heel of the buttplate. The stock is highly figured walnut with checkered panels on the wrist and a high polish varnish. The checkered hard rubber forearm has the circled Rampant Colt motif on both sides. The round barrel has a steel block front sight blade and blued, folding leaf rear sight. A staple-mounted saddle ring is located on the left side of the receiver. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the first style legend: "COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO.HARTFORD.CT.U.S.A./+ ELLIOT'S PATENTS MAY 29. 1883. SEPT. 18. 1883 +" in two lines ahead of the rear sight. "44 Cal." is roll-stamped in bold letters on the left side of the barrel just ahead of the receiver. The serial number is hand engraved on the lower tang surrounded by double line and star engraving.

Excellent. The carbine is all original and retains 95% plus of the original nickel-plated finish and has light handling wear. The barrel, magazine, barrel band, receiver, and trigger guard have 90% plus of the original nickel-plated finish. The plated finish is thin along the bottom of the magazine. There is some flaking on the muzzle, and the barrel has several small spots of flaking and some minor scratches along the sides. The rear sight retains 80% of the original niter blue finish. There are small areas of flaking and minor finish wear along the top edge and lower right side of the receiver and some finish loss on the edges of the receiver and lower tang at the junction with the stock. The nickel-plated finish on the loading gate is slightly frosted. The buttplate has contact wear visible on the heel and toe and retains 80% of the original plated finish. The forearm, frame, and buttplate screws have most of the original niter blue finish. The dense scrollwork, highly detailed panel scenes, and other engraving are deep and crisp. The barrel markings are sharp. The excellent stock retains 90% of the original varnish and has crisp checkering, and moderate handling wear with minor scratches and handing marks primarily concentrated on the bottom and right side. Factory engraved Colt Lightning rifles and carbines are extremely rare. This deluxe engraved Colt Lightning slide action carbine is exceptionally rare itself, but the Porfirio Diaz inscription links this carbine to one of the most significant Mexican leaders and gives it historical significance associated with very few firearms.