Colt Lightning Large Frame Rifles

[shrapnel]

There is no forum for Colt Lightnings, so I figured the people that appreciate old guns would find this interesting. I got the 40-60-260 last May in Denver and shot my antelope with it. This past weekend I got the 50-95 Express at a gun show.

They never made very many of these large frame Lightnings, less than 6500 to be exact. I like medium and large frame Lightnings so I had to add this to the pile. It is a rare gun just that it is a large frame, but the fact that it is a 50 makes it even more rare. It also has a special order barrel and was the only one in a shipment to Bombay in 1891.

The back rifle is the 40-60, the front is the 50-95. I included a picture of the cartridges as well for comparison. The stars really aligned themselves for this gun...

http://i.imgur.com/3CWvFga.jpg (https://imgur.com/3CWvFga)

http://i.imgur.com/yfLOsSs.jpg (https://imgur.com/yfLOsSs)

http://i.imgur.com/zHYGSfA.jpg (https://imgur.com/zHYGSfA)

http://i.imgur.com/a34mS5D.jpg (https://imgur.com/a34mS5D)

http://i.imgur.com/qQVA7Pj.jpg (https://imgur.com/qQVA7Pj)

[Ajohns]

Wow! Two nice pieces there!

[veeman]

Nice! Function properly?

[Beerd]

My oh my, those are NICE!
..

[obssd1958]

One of my regrets, is that I was compelled to sell my medium frame lightning, chambered in 38-40. Probably one of the most fun rifles that I've ever owned!
But sometimes you have to be an adult, and pay the bills...

Nice pair of rifles you have there!!



Don

[T-Bird]

Nice looking rifles, never seen one (or was aware of that model). A pump rifle, ---cool

[smithnframe]

Very nice!

[shrapnel]

Nice looking rifles, never seen one (or was aware of that model). A pump rifle, ---cool

I have more that are medium frame rifles as well. They are an overlooked gun of the old west...

http://i.imgur.com/vBdmhQY.jpg (https://imgur.com/vBdmhQY)

[If1Hitu]

Those two are sweet,thanks for sharing.:lovebooli

[If1Hitu]

I have more that are medium frame rifles as well. They are an overlooked gun of the old west...

http://i.imgur.com/vBdmhQY.jpg (https://imgur.com/vBdmhQY)Wish I had some classic like those,absolutely awesome!:lovebooli

[Bazoo]

Very nice , thank you for sharing.

[LIMPINGJ]

With being shipped to Bombay, I wonder if that 50-95 ever went Tiger hunting.

[Rick B]

Very nice Rifle’s, if only they could talk. How well does the 50-95 shoot.
Rick

[shrapnel]

Very nice Rifle’s, if only they could talk. How well does the 50-95 shoot.
Rick

2 different bullets and loads...


http://i.imgur.com/Y7wkvCK.jpg (https://imgur.com/Y7wkvCK)

http://i.imgur.com/iIy0FOR.jpg (https://imgur.com/iIy0FOR)

[skeettx]

Yeee Hawww
Make me SMILE :)

[Rick B]

Good looking groups. What Boolits, loads and distance did you shoot those targets.
Rick

[Speedo66]

I see they load from the side, which I think was Winchester's King Patent. Wonder if Colt had to pay Winchester royalties to use that feature?

[Dak47]

Heck Ya!! Congrats on the score.... I seen one Lightning when I was a kid and never again in Canada. Shooters to boot....

[shrapnel]

I see they load from the side, which I think was Winchester's King Patent. Wonder if Colt had to pay Winchester royalties to use that feature?

Colt's were made with Elliot's patent, which differs on how the magazine is loaded. The Elliot's patent requires the action to be open when loading and King's doesn't. Whitney Kennedy's are of the same patent with the action being open for loading...

[Speedo66]

Thanks for the info re: the patents!

[dverna]

Very interesting.

Someone made clones a few years back but they were not very reliable.

Congratulations on a fine collection.