Page 138 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1278
Early Production Three Digit Serial Number Colt Burgess Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 493, 44 WCF cal., 25 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The Colt Burgess rifles and carbines were only available from 1883 to around 1885, and only 6,403 were manufactured. They were designed by Andrew Burgess who held 894 patents by the end of his life. It has long been rumored that Colt and Winchester came to an agreement that Colt would exit the lever action market and Winchester would not release a revolver. There seems to be little other reason for Colt to have discontinued these fine repeating arms so quickly after they introduced them. The Burgess is arguably more advanced and refined than the Winchester Model 1873. This example has standard markings and is fitted with a replacement bone blade front sight and elevation adjustable notch rear sight. Sling swivels are mounted on the forend cap and stock. Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate. CONDITION: Very good, retaining 20% of the original blue finish in sheltered areas and on the lower tang with the balance mostly a bright grey patina speckled with some brown. The nicely figured wood is fine with some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,750 - 5,500
LOT 1279
Colt Lightning Large Frame Slide Action Rifle in .45-85-285 - Serial no. 6191, 45-85-285 cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Despite an exceptional design, faster rater of fire than lever actions, and the Colt reputation for quality firearms, the Colt Lightning rifles were nowhere as successful as the already well-established Winchester lever actions, and Colt only manufactured approximately 6,500 of these large frame “express” rifles from 1887 to 1894. This example was manufactured in 1893 and has a German silver blade front sight, the two-line address
and patent marking ahead of the elevation adjustable sporting rear sight, “45-85-285” on the upper left flat at the breech, the serial number on the lower tang, the Rampant Colt trademark on the left side of the receiver, multi-point checkered forearm and smooth straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina with some scattered patches of rough darker oxidation. The wood is also very good with some minor dings and scratches, a short hairline crack near the upper tang, and otherwise mostly crisp checkering on the slide handle. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 1280 Scarce Colt Burgess Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 2157, 44-40 WCF cal., 25 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The Colt Burgess rifles and carbines were only available from 1883 to around 1885, and only 6,403 were manufactured. They were designed by Andrew Burgess who held 894 patents by the end of his life. It has long been rumored that Colt and Winchester came to an agreement that Colt would exit the lever action market and Winchester would not release a revolver. There seems to be little other reason for Colt to have discontinued these fine repeating arms so quickly after they introduced them. The Burgess is arguably more advanced and refined than the Winchester Model 1873. This example has standard markings and is fitted with dovetailed German silver blade front and elevation adjustable notch rear sights. Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. CONDITION: Good, showing mostly a bright grey patina with some scattered patches of very light surface pitting and dark brown patina. The lightly sanded and reoiled wood is good with a repair/filler at the toe and some scattered light dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1281 Antique Colt Medium Frame Lightning Slide Action Rifle - Serial no. 50040, 38 WCF cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1891 with the standard two-line address/patent marking and caliber designation on the top of the barrel. The Rampant Colt is marked on the left of the frame and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with German silver blade front and elevation adjustable notch rear sights. Mounted with a multipoint checkered slide handle and smooth, checkered straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey-brown patina and a few scattered patches of dark rough oxidation. The wood is very good with some scattered minor dings and scratches, and non-factory added checkering on the wrist. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1282
First Year Production Colt Large Frame “Express” Lightning Slide Action Rifle Serial Number 152 - Serial no. 152, 40-60-260 cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Despite an excellent overall design, faster rater of fire than lever actions, and the Colt reputation for quality firearms, the Colt Lightning rifles were nowhere as successful as the already well-established Winchester lever actions, and Colt only manufactured approximately 6,500 of these large frame “express” rifles from 1887 to 1894. This example was manufactured in 1887, the first year
of production for the Large Frame rifles, and has a German silver blade front sight, the two-line address and patent marking ahead of the elevation adjustable sporting rear sight, “40-60-260” on the upper left flat at the breech, the serial number on the lower tang, the Rampant Colt trademark on the left side of the receiver, multi-point checkered forearm and smooth straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. CONDITION: Good, showing a mix of brown and grey patinas some scattered patches of very light surface pitting, and some heavier pitting on the buttplate. The refinished wood is also good with some scattered minor dings and scratches, and a couple hairline cracks and minor chips near the upper and lower tangs. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500 LOT 1283 Colt Medium Frame Lightning Slide Action Rifle - Serial no. 88313, 32 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1901 with the standard two-line address/patent marking and “32 CAL” (.32-20) caliber designation on the upper barrel flat. The Rampant Colt is marked on the left of the frame and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with German silver blade front and elevation adjustable notch rear sights. Mounted with a smooth slide handle and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. CONDITION: Very good, retains 40% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey or brown patina and some scattered grease residue. The wood is fine with a few scattered minor dings and scratches, and a series of long hairline cracks visible on the right of the buttstock from the buttplate to the wrist. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
Collector’s Fact
One of only 2,556 Colt Burgess Lever Action rifles produced with an octagon barrel.
Collector’s Fact
One of only 1,219 Colt Burgess Lever Action rifles produced with a round barrel.
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