Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this pump-action rifle for a penny-start auction, this is the Colt Lightning Magazine Rifle.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Lightning Magazine Rifle
Serial: 63853
Date of Manufacture: 1902
Caliber: .22 Caliber
Finish: Blued
Barrel Length: 24"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Front Blade with Fixed U-Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Hardwood Straight Grip Stock and Forearm
Action: Pump-Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt Lightning Magazine Rifle in Small Frame .22 caliber is a historically significant American pump-action rifle that represents one of the earliest successful attempts to bring rapid-fire repeating capability to the rimfire sporting rifle market. Manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company in the late 19th century, the Colt Lightning was designed by William Mason and produced from the 1880s into the early 1900s as Colt’s answer to competing slide-action rifles such as those from Winchester and Remington. The Small Frame variant, chambered in .22 caliber, was specifically intended for youth shooters, small-game hunters, and recreational plinkers, offering a lightweight, fast-handling firearm that could fire the inexpensive, widely available .22 rimfire cartridges of the era. One of the defining characteristics of the Colt Lightning is its pump-action (slide-action) mechanism, which allowed the shooter to cycle the action rapidly by moving the fore-end backward and forward, ejecting the spent cartridge, and chambering a fresh round from a tubular magazine located beneath the barrel. This system was notably smooth and quick for its time, giving shooters a significant advantage in follow-up shots compared to single-shot rifles that were still common in the late 19th century. The Small Frame .22 version featured a relatively compact receiver and a light barrel, often with a round barrel profile, a walnut stock, and simple open iron sights, designed for practical field shooting. The rifle was chambered in .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle, depending on configuration, making it versatile for small-game hunting, such as squirrels and rabbits, as well as pest control. In practical use, the Colt Lightning earned a reputation for its speed, handling, and enjoyable shooting characteristics, making it especially popular among young shooters and hunters who valued its quick cycling and low recoil.
Model: Lightning Magazine Rifle
Serial: 63853
Date of Manufacture: 1902
Caliber: .22 Caliber
Finish: Blued
Barrel Length: 24"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Front Blade with Fixed U-Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Hardwood Straight Grip Stock and Forearm
Action: Pump-Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt Lightning Magazine Rifle in Small Frame .22 caliber is a historically significant American pump-action rifle that represents one of the earliest successful attempts to bring rapid-fire repeating capability to the rimfire sporting rifle market. Manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company in the late 19th century, the Colt Lightning was designed by William Mason and produced from the 1880s into the early 1900s as Colt’s answer to competing slide-action rifles such as those from Winchester and Remington. The Small Frame variant, chambered in .22 caliber, was specifically intended for youth shooters, small-game hunters, and recreational plinkers, offering a lightweight, fast-handling firearm that could fire the inexpensive, widely available .22 rimfire cartridges of the era. One of the defining characteristics of the Colt Lightning is its pump-action (slide-action) mechanism, which allowed the shooter to cycle the action rapidly by moving the fore-end backward and forward, ejecting the spent cartridge, and chambering a fresh round from a tubular magazine located beneath the barrel. This system was notably smooth and quick for its time, giving shooters a significant advantage in follow-up shots compared to single-shot rifles that were still common in the late 19th century. The Small Frame .22 version featured a relatively compact receiver and a light barrel, often with a round barrel profile, a walnut stock, and simple open iron sights, designed for practical field shooting. The rifle was chambered in .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle, depending on configuration, making it versatile for small-game hunting, such as squirrels and rabbits, as well as pest control. In practical use, the Colt Lightning earned a reputation for its speed, handling, and enjoyable shooting characteristics, making it especially popular among young shooters and hunters who valued its quick cycling and low recoil.
Its pump-action design was ahead of its time and contributed to the evolution of American repeating rifle technology, helping establish the slide-action platform as a viable and efficient repeating system. However, the rifle eventually faced competition from more modern designs and higher-capacity repeaters, leading to its discontinuation in the early 20th century. Today, the Colt Lightning Small Frame .22 is highly prized by collectors due to its historical significance, association with early repeating rifle development, and relatively limited production compared to later Colt firearms. Well-preserved examples are especially sought after for their craftsmanship, smooth action, and role as one of the pioneering American pump-action rimfire rifles that helped shape the future of small-game and recreational shooting.
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.
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/1177848119 |
BidPrice: |
0.01 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-06-07 21:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
605 |
