The Lightning series of rifles were designed as a companion arm to identically chambered Single Action Army and Model 1878 Frontier revolvers. Some military and police models were manufactured. Colt was very serious about the Lightning rifles and they were offered with many extra special order features. Anything a customer wanted was available on the Lightning rifles. The Lightning rifle was very popular in foreign markets, giving Colt a worldwide distribution. They were finely made, handsomely designed and very durable, and many Lightning rifles are still being used today. Equipped with a blade front sight and adjustable sporting rear sights. The top barrel flat is marked "COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A./PATENTED MAY 29, SEPT. 18, 83, MAY 26, 85, JUNE 15, 86, FEB. 22, 87" ahead of the rear sight and "32 Cal." at the breech. The Rampant Colt is stamped on the left side of the frame and the serial number is marked on the lower tang. Blue finish with a casehardened hammer and mounted with a special order nicely figured multi-point checkered walnut forearm and pistol grip stock with a crescent buttplate and silver initial oval. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 26 inch octagon barrel in .32 CLMR (.32-20 WCF), blue finish, pistol grip stock, and checkered wood as well as shipped on April 17, 1894 to A.G. Spalding & Brothers of Chicago, New York City and Denver. This was a single gun shipment.

Extremely fine. The rifle retains 60% original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the barrel mixed with streaks of original blue finish. The magazine tube shows thinning original blue finish and the receiver retains 90% bright original blue finish with some areas of gray patina, edge wear and some mild pitting. The hammer retains 98% bright original case colors. The wood is fine with sharp checkering. The markings are clear. Mechanically excellent.