Manufactured in 1888, this is a highly sought after Colt Large Frame "Express Model" Lightning Rifle chambered in .38-56-255 caliber. The rifle is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight. The barrel is stamped with the two-line Hartford address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight and "38-56-255" in script on the upper left flat at the breech. A Rampant Colt is stamped on the left side of the receiver. The forearm has multi-point checkering, and the straight grip stock is plain and fitted with a crescent buttplate. 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. Finding an example in high condition, such as offered here, is becoming difficult.

Excellent. The barrel and magazine retain 97% plus bright original high polished blue finish and the receiver retains 90% bright original high polish blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. 75% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The wood is also excellent showing a few minor handling marks. The forearm checkering is crisp overall. Mechanically excellent. An exceptional Colt Large Frame "Express Model" Lightning Rifle that will be difficult to improve upon.