A little under 90,000 of the medium frame variation of the Colt Lightning rifles were manufactured between 1884 and 1904. The vast majority of those would have been full blue and have featured the standard stock and pump handle and full magazines. The factory letter confirms this rifle's original configuration is recorded as .44 CLMR (.44-40, possibly a factory error as it is clearly a 38-40 and shows no signs of removal.), 26 inch octagon barrel, blue finish (Colt lists blue and casehardened guns as blued in the records), wood pistol grip stock, and 1/2 magazine. They also confirm it was one of two rifles in this configuration in an order shipped on September 30, 1886 to A.G. Spalding & Bros. The address is not listed, but the dealer's locations are noted as Chicago, Denver, and New York City. The company is one of the oldest American sporting goods dealers and was started by early major league baseball player Albert Goodwill Spalding (1849-1915) of Byron, Illinois, and became famous for their contributions to American sports. The rifle has a German silver "Rocky Mountain" blade front sight, the two-line address and patent marking on top ahead of the adjustable sporting rear sight, ".38 Cal." on top at the breech, the Rampant Colt trade mark on the left side of the casehardened frame, multi-point checkering on the slide handle and pistol grip stock, a blank German silver oval escutcheon on the bottom of the buttstock, and a crescent buttplate.

Very fine with 80% plus of the aged original blue finish on the barrel, fading to gray at the muzzle, minor pitting, 40% of original case colors in the protected areas of the frame and dark patina on the balance, strong original case colors on the hammer, bright original niter blue on the safety, and mottled brown patina on the buttplate. The period refinished buttstock is also very fine and has mostly crisp checkering with some scrapes and dings, attractive figure, and mild marks and scratches. The slide handle is very fine and has crisp checkering and minor edge wear. Mechanically excellent. This is an exceedingly scarce Colt Lightning rifle. We do not get the opportunity to auction deluxe Lightnings with casehardened frames very often. Do not miss your opportunity to get your hands on this rare Colt!