Lot 1269: Colt Lightning Medium Frame Slide Action Rifle in .32-20 W.C.F.

Manufactured in 1887. The included factory letter lists this rifle with an octagon barrel in .32 CLMR, blue finish and "fancy pistol grip wood" stock when shipped on December 3, 1887 as a single unit shipment to Schoverling, Daly & Gales of New York City. Beaded blade front sight, rear sight filler, as well as a tang mounted folding rear peep sight. Standard later two-line Colt address and .32 caliber (scarce) marking on the barrel with Rampant Colt on the left side of the receiver. Mounted with a special order pistol grip stock. These rifles were a well liked alternative to the Winchester offerings of the day; however, even with some 186,000 having been produced, Colt decided to drop the line in 1904 and return solely to handgun manufacturing.

Fine, retains 60% plus of the original blue finish and strong traces of the original case colors on the hammer with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey-brown patina, primarily on the magazine and edges. The slightly undersized refinished wood is very good with a few tack type holes in the buttstock, a hairline crack is visible on the lower right of the pistol grip, some scattered minor dings, and mostly crisp checkering on the forearm. Mechanically excellent.