Lot 85

Antique Colt Lightning Medium Frame Slide Action Rifle

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Antique Colt Lightning Medium Frame Slide Action Rifle

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000

Starting Bid: $3,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Exceptional Antique Colt Lightning Medium Frame Slide Action Rifle in .44-40 W.C.F. Manufactured in 1890, this is an outstanding example of Colt's most successful entry into the market of frontier long guns, going head to head with Winchester's prolific lever actions. These Colt Lightnings found significant popularity in the American West, often seeing years of hard use in the harsh environment of the frontier even in deluxe configurations, leaving high condition examples quite rare on today's collectors market. These Medium Frame rifles were particularly popular in the West due to their shared calibers with the legendary Colt "Peacemaker", allowing one to carry just one type of ammunition for both their longarm and sidearm. Additionally, Colt's Lightning had the added benefit of being able to stay on target while being "slam fired", or holding down the trigger while operating the slide. Like their lever action competition, these Lightning rifles in standard configurations were often viewed as tools and saw many years of hard use in the West, leaving high condition examples like this exceptionally scarce. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and patent dates, as well as the caliber marking at the breech. The left side of the receiver has the Rampant Colt and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and an elevation adjustable notch rear sight. It is mounted with a checkered slide handle and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Lightning

BBL: 26 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 44-40 WCF

Finish: blue

Serial Number42748

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus of the original blue finish and 80% of the original case colors on the hammer with some mild flaking showing brown patina on the lower tang, a few scattered brown speckles, and the buttplate mostly brown patina with light pitting. The wood is excellent with a few scattered minor dings and mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000