Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this antique lever-action rifle for a penny-start auction; this is the Colt-Burgess Lever Action.
According to the accompanying factory letter, this example was shipped to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. of Chicago, Illinois, on December 27, 1883.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company
Model: Colt-Burgess Lever-Action
Serial: 3183
Date of Manufacture: 1883
Caliber: .44-40 WCF
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 25 ½" Octagonal Configuration Barrel
Optics/Sights: Dovetail Blade Front with Elevator Adjustable Rear
Stock/Grips: Plain Walnut Straight Grip Stock and Forearm
Action: Lever-Action Rifle
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt–Burgess rifle, also known as the 1883 Burgess rifle, is a lever-action repeating rifle designed by Andrew Burgess and manufactured by Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company between 1883 and 1885. Chambered in .44-40 Winchester Center Fire, it features a 25½-inch barrel and a 15-shot tubular magazine, offering substantial firepower for its time. The rifle employed a compact, fast-handling lever system that distinguished it from contemporary Winchester designs, while its blue finish, case-hardened lever and hammer, and walnut stock reflected Colt’s high standards of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Mechanically robust and smoothly operated, the Burgess rifle was intended to compete directly in the rapidly growing lever-action sporting and frontier rifle market.
Model: Colt-Burgess Lever-Action
Serial: 3183
Date of Manufacture: 1883
Caliber: .44-40 WCF
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 25 ½" Octagonal Configuration Barrel
Optics/Sights: Dovetail Blade Front with Elevator Adjustable Rear
Stock/Grips: Plain Walnut Straight Grip Stock and Forearm
Action: Lever-Action Rifle
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt–Burgess rifle, also known as the 1883 Burgess rifle, is a lever-action repeating rifle designed by Andrew Burgess and manufactured by Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company between 1883 and 1885. Chambered in .44-40 Winchester Center Fire, it features a 25½-inch barrel and a 15-shot tubular magazine, offering substantial firepower for its time. The rifle employed a compact, fast-handling lever system that distinguished it from contemporary Winchester designs, while its blue finish, case-hardened lever and hammer, and walnut stock reflected Colt’s high standards of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Mechanically robust and smoothly operated, the Burgess rifle was intended to compete directly in the rapidly growing lever-action sporting and frontier rifle market.
Despite its strong design and Colt’s manufacturing reputation, production of the Burgess rifle was limited, with approximately 6,403 examples manufactured during its short two-year run. Its abrupt discontinuation has long been associated with an informal understanding between Colt and Winchester to avoid direct competition, though the exact circumstances remain debated among historians. Today, the Colt–Burgess rifle is highly prized by collectors due to its rarity, fine finish, and historical significance as Colt’s most serious foray into lever-action rifle production. Surviving examples, particularly those retaining original finish and configuration, represent an important and desirable link to late 19th-century American firearms innovation.
Contents:
This example will ship with the factory-letter as pictured above.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1150442902 |
BidPrice: |
0.01 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-02-08 21:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
6002 |
