Antique Colt Burgess Rifle .44-40 25” Barrel Lever Action Rifle
SOLD FOR: $2,885
WOA#: WY240214BT004
Make: Colt
Model: Burgess
Serial Number: 3281
Year of Manufacture: 1883–1885
Caliber: .44-40
Action Type: Lever, Tube-mag.
Markings: This rifle is marked with the serial under the lever. The barrel is marked, “COLT’S PT.F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. / PAT JAN 7.78. OCT 19.75. APR 1.79. DEC 7.80. DEC 18.81 JAN 3.82” There is a proof mark on the buttplate.
Barrel Length: 25”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed dovetailed base with a brass blade sight . The rear sight is an adjustable leaf buckhorn sight
Stock Configuration & Condition: This rifle has a 2 piece wood stock with a straight grip and straight comb and rounded forend with a crescent buttplate and steel forend cap. The stock set has scratches and pressure dents. The forend is cracked. The buttplate has some pitting. The LOP is 12 ¾”. The stock rates in about Good condition for an antique.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: Internal Tube Fed.
Type of Finish: Blued Steel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark-gray but the rifling is sharp. There is moderate erosion in the bore. This writer rates the bore at a 4/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains almost none of its metal finish as its been turned into patina. There is minor pitting, nicks, and surface rust across the entire rifle. The action is functional. There is wear in the action from use. This rifle rates at Good condition, especially for its age.
Mechanics: The action functions as intended. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Colt Burgess Rifle in .44-40 caliber holds a significant place in firearms history, representing Colt’s venture into lever-action rifle production during the late 19th century. Designed by Andrew Burgess, it featured a tubular magazine and lever-action mechanism, making it a versatile and reliable firearm for various applications. Introduced in 1883 by Colt’s Manufacturing Company, the rifle was intended to compete with other lever-action rifles of the time, particularly those produced by Winchester.
Available in different configurations, including carbine and rifle lengths, the Colt Burgess Rifle quickly found favor among cowboys, ranchers, and frontiersmen in the American West. Its robust construction and chambering in the powerful .44-40 Winchester cartridge made it well-suited for hunting, ranch work, and self-defense in the rugged conditions of the frontier.
Despite its quality and performance, the Colt Burgess Rifle had a brief production run, ceasing production in 1885 after less than two years. Nevertheless, its association with Colt’s Manufacturing Company and the iconic .44-40 caliber have cemented its status as a sought-after collector’s item. Today, the Burgess Rifle is prized by firearms enthusiasts and historians alike for its historical significance, craftsmanship, and place in the story of American firearms development. -R.E.
