Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this museum-grade 19th-century American repeating rifle package for a penny-start auction, this is an Antique Colt Lightning Small Frame in .22 Cal w/ 24" Octagon Barrel, Tang Peep Sight, Walnut Stock & Full Tubular Magazine.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Lightning Small Frame (First Model .22 Pump-Action Rifle)
Serial: 63853
Date of Manufacture: 1902 (Confirmed by Colt Serial Number Records)
Caliber: .22 Caliber Rimfire (.22 Short / .22 Long)
Finish: Original Patinated Steel Receiver, Octagon Barrel & Magazine Tube
Barrel Length: 24" Octagon Ordnance Steel Barrel
Optics/Sights: Upgraded Vintage Tang Aperture Peep Sight, Rear Sight Notch & German Silver Blade Front Sight
Stock/Grips: Straight-Grip American Walnut Stock w/ Original Steel Crescent Buttplate & Two-Piece Walnut Forend
Action: Slide-Action / Pump-Action Repeating Rifle w/ Full-Length Tubular Magazine & Brass Dust Cover
Markings: Barrel top stamped "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."; barrel left near receiver stamped "22 Cal."; lower tang stamped serial "63853".
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Introduced in 1887 as Colt's response to Winchester's dominant lever-action market, the Colt Lightning Small Frame holds a storied position as Colt's very first rimfire repeating rifle. Designed by William H. Elliot, the Small Frame variant was scaled specifically for .22 Short and Long cartridges and featured a smooth slide-action mechanism that cycled considerably faster than lever-action rifles of the era—hence the legendary "Lightning" moniker. Crafted in Hartford, Connecticut, these Small Frame Lightnings incorporated a 24-inch octagon barrel, full-length tubular magazine, solid steel frame, and brass cartridge elevator. Produced through 1904, early 20th-century examples equipped with factory options like tang peep sights represent quintessential artifacts of Wild West and Victorian-era American firearms history.
This specific example is an authentic Colt Lightning Small Frame slide-action rifle chambered in .22 Caliber, bearing serial number 63853 and manufactured in 1902. Outfitted in classic antique target/hunting trim, it features a 24-inch full octagon barrel, full-length tubular magazine, polished brass elevator, vintage folding tang aperture peep sight, front silver sight blade, smooth straight-grip American walnut buttstock with steel crescent buttplate, and a two-piece walnut forend. The steel surfaces display an honest, uniform aged patina throughout with clear barrel address stampings and serial markings. Mechanically, the pump action cycles smoothly, dust cover and brass elevator function properly, tang sight springs are firm, and the 24-inch octagon barrel bore displays distinct rifling. This 63853 1902 Colt Lightning Small Frame offers a rare, highly displayable historic rimfire piece for Colt collectors and antique rifle purists.
Model: Lightning Small Frame (First Model .22 Pump-Action Rifle)
Serial: 63853
Date of Manufacture: 1902 (Confirmed by Colt Serial Number Records)
Caliber: .22 Caliber Rimfire (.22 Short / .22 Long)
Finish: Original Patinated Steel Receiver, Octagon Barrel & Magazine Tube
Barrel Length: 24" Octagon Ordnance Steel Barrel
Optics/Sights: Upgraded Vintage Tang Aperture Peep Sight, Rear Sight Notch & German Silver Blade Front Sight
Stock/Grips: Straight-Grip American Walnut Stock w/ Original Steel Crescent Buttplate & Two-Piece Walnut Forend
Action: Slide-Action / Pump-Action Repeating Rifle w/ Full-Length Tubular Magazine & Brass Dust Cover
Markings: Barrel top stamped "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."; barrel left near receiver stamped "22 Cal."; lower tang stamped serial "63853".
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Introduced in 1887 as Colt's response to Winchester's dominant lever-action market, the Colt Lightning Small Frame holds a storied position as Colt's very first rimfire repeating rifle. Designed by William H. Elliot, the Small Frame variant was scaled specifically for .22 Short and Long cartridges and featured a smooth slide-action mechanism that cycled considerably faster than lever-action rifles of the era—hence the legendary "Lightning" moniker. Crafted in Hartford, Connecticut, these Small Frame Lightnings incorporated a 24-inch octagon barrel, full-length tubular magazine, solid steel frame, and brass cartridge elevator. Produced through 1904, early 20th-century examples equipped with factory options like tang peep sights represent quintessential artifacts of Wild West and Victorian-era American firearms history.
This specific example is an authentic Colt Lightning Small Frame slide-action rifle chambered in .22 Caliber, bearing serial number 63853 and manufactured in 1902. Outfitted in classic antique target/hunting trim, it features a 24-inch full octagon barrel, full-length tubular magazine, polished brass elevator, vintage folding tang aperture peep sight, front silver sight blade, smooth straight-grip American walnut buttstock with steel crescent buttplate, and a two-piece walnut forend. The steel surfaces display an honest, uniform aged patina throughout with clear barrel address stampings and serial markings. Mechanically, the pump action cycles smoothly, dust cover and brass elevator function properly, tang sight springs are firm, and the 24-inch octagon barrel bore displays distinct rifling. This 63853 1902 Colt Lightning Small Frame offers a rare, highly displayable historic rimfire piece for Colt collectors and antique rifle purists.
Please note this example has a distinctive split in the fore-end pump.
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.
We have an amazing inventory of classic and collector firearms that we are adding to Gunbroker daily. Stay up to date on all of our latest auction by adding us to your favorite sellers list.
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/1207802712 |
BidPrice: |
0.51 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-10-11 21:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
0.51 |
