Colt Lightning Magazine Rifle Medium Frame .44-40 Pump Action 1902 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,305.00
LSB#: LSB260120GM004
Make: Colt
Model: Lightning Magazine Rifle, Medium Frame
Serial Number: 89553
Year of Manufacture: 1902 / C&R
Caliber: .44-40 W.C.F.
Action Type: Slide / Pump Action, Full Length Tube Magazine Fed Rifle
Markings: The top of the barrel 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.” in front of the rear sight and “44 Cal.” behind the rear sight. The bottom tang is marked “89553”.
Barrel Length: 26″ Tapered Round Barrel
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a fixed v-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for the mounting of a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks consist of a two-piece forend and a buttstock with a straight grip and a crescent shaped steel buttplate. The forend wood is line engraved around the borders. There are scattered handling marks. There are small losses around the tangs and buttplate. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP is 13 ¼” as measured from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has heavy erosion. The buttplate is in about Good condition. The stocks rate in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is somewhat bright. The rifling is well defined. There is light scattered erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its current metal finish. The finish is largely oxidized. There is erosion under the new finish . the magtube has not been refinished. There are scattered spots of erosion and fine pitting. There are scatches and dings throughout. Overall this rates in Fair condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. We have not fired this rifle. We consider this a parts gun or restoration candidate and do not recommend attempting to fire in its current condition
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Colt Lightning Magazine Rifle is one of the most distinctive and ambitious designs produced by Colt during the late nineteenth century, representing the company’s attempt to compete directly with Winchester in the repeating rifle market. Introduced in 1884, the Lightning series featured a pump action mechanism rather than the more common lever action, offering rapid follow up shots in a familiar format to users of Colt revolvers. The Medium Frame variant, chambered in .44-40 W.C.F., was particularly popular as it shared ammunition compatibility with Colt’s revolvers, making it a practical choice for frontier use. This 1902 production example comes from the later years of Lightning manufacture, retaining the classic 26 inch barrel and full length magazine that defined the model’s sporting configuration.
Chambered in .44-40 Winchester Center Fire, a cartridge introduced in 1873 and widely used across rifles and revolvers of the American West, this example retains approximately 65 percent of its refinished metal finish with visible oxidation, underlying erosion, and scattered pitting. The bore shows defined rifling with light erosion, rating 6 out of 10. The wood stock set remains intact with typical handling wear and small losses around the tangs, while the crescent buttplate shows heavy erosion. The action cycles properly, though the rifle is best regarded as a restoration candidate or parts gun in its current state. With its Colt manufacture, pump action design, and chambering in one of the most iconic cartridges of the frontier era, this Lightning rifle represents an interesting and historically significant example despite its condition. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! – L.S.