Original U.S. Colt Small Frame .22 Cal. Lightning Pump Action Magazine Rifle made in 1889 - Serial 8237

Item DescriptionOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice Colt Lightning Magazine Slide-Action Rifle, which looks to have had the metalwork and stocks refinished during the mid 20th century. The serial number8237stamped on the trigger guard indicates a 'Small Frame' Lightning Magazine Rifle manufactured in1889, the second year of production for this type. The 24' Octagonal barrel is marked22 Cal.on the left side of the chamber, indicating that the rifle is in .22 rimfire, a popular 'plinker' and gallery gun cartridge, also used for training. These were made in both .22 Long and Short, but we are not able to determine the chambering of this example. It features a nice fixed 'notch' rear sight, with the classic 'bead' front sight.The top of the barrel is marked with the manufacturer information, which is clear: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.Offered with a crisp tight action in fully functional condition. The metalwork is still lovely, retaining the dark blued refinish very well. It was done tastefully, as the markings on the barrel are still quite crisp, as is the serial number. The Colt 'Prancing Pony' on the left side of the action has however been completely worn away, as the marking is not very deep into the metal. The stocks are in excellent condition, still retaining the original refinished well, and showing no signs of a refinish. The original Colt 'Prancing Pony' hard rubber butt plate is in lovely condition, showing wear but no cracks or repairs.The action cycles well, with a crisp dry fire, though we have no way to check to see if it still feeds correctly. We checked the magazine, and it slides out properly to the right in front of the receiver for loading. We checked the bore, and we can still see clear rifling, however the finish is mostly dark, and the rifling is worn. There is past fouling present over much of the interior, so this looks to have seen a good amount of use.A lovely early slide action design rifle in the popular .22cal from the second year of production, fully cleaned and ready for display!Specifications:-Year of Manufacture: 1889Caliber: .22Cartridge Type: Rimfire CartridgeBarrel Length: 24 InchesOverall Length: 41 InchesAction type: Slide Action RepeaterFeed System: tube magazineMore on the Colt Lightning Rifle:The Colt Lightning Magazine Rifle was a slide-action (pump-action) rifle manufactured by Colt from 1884 to 1904 and was originally chambered in .44-40 caliber. Colt eventually made the Lightning Rifle in three different frame sizes, to accommodate a wide range of cartridges, from .22 Short caliber and .38-40 to .50-95 Express. Its profile somewhat resembles the pump-action rimfire rifles made by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company and Remington Arms. The Lightning saw use as a sporting arm in America and was adopted for use by the San Francisco Police Department, but was never as popular or as reliable as the various lever-action rifles of its day.The medium-frame Colt Lightning Magazine Rifle was manufactured between 1884 and 1904. It was the first slide-action rifle offered by Colt. Colt records indicate 89,777 were produced, in .32-20, .38-40, and .44-40 as a companion arm to the Colt Single Action Army revolver. Two versions were offered: a rifle with a 26 in (66 cm) barrel and 15-round magazine, and a carbine with a 20 in (51 cm) barrel and 12-round magazine.NOTE:This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.Shipping RestrictionsThis product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New JerseyThis product is available for international shipping.Shipping not available to: United KingdomPayment OptionsNot eligible for payment with Paypal or AmazonLegal InformationNote: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom.IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.These antique guns are not sold in 'live' condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as 'wall hangers' not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.