Colt Lightning Rifle

[joepamjohn]

I have an old Colt Lightning 32 cal rifle that is missing a number of parts. At what point, if ever, are these eligible to be sold as antiques or are they all to be transferred thru an FFL? Thanks

[Milsurp Collector]

Colt Lightning rifles were made from 1884 to 1904. To be classified as an antique your rifle would have had to have been made in or before 1898. You can try to determine the date your rifle was made based on the serial number http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

[DisgruntledReaper]

Well the lightning was made 1884-1904 and about 90k built in all calibers. Missing parts could be a big issue depending on what parts. If you want to try to get parts, gb,ebay,numrich arms,etc...you have to hunt for them. If unavailable,it is a wall hanger.

regarding ever becoming an antique or if it is already an antique you need the serial number and with some google foo you may find a forum where someone compiled a list. You may try contacting colt also.
There is a move or petition,etc out there that if okd the atf would make any firearm that is confirmed a 100yrs old to be an antique. This would be a rolling progressive thing so 1917 now antique,then 1918,etc.
i personally would consider any lightning an antique at this point. No one in right mind would shoot it because no spares if it breaks.

Like i would LOVE to have a lewis gun and want to shoot it but since is 100 plus yrs old,bust something and im hosed..

that is my take,im sure others will come along and try trashing my viewpoint.

[TRAP55]

.32-20 is a Medium Frame, I can get parts, what do you need for it? Got pics?

[SoCal Bob]

.32-20 is a Medium Frame, I can get parts, what do you need for it? Got pics?

Makes me want to get an old Winchester rifle, just so I can pick your brain.

[joepamjohn]

Colt Lightning rifles were made from 1884 to 1904. To be classified as an antique your rifle would have had to have been made in or before 1898. You can try to determine the date your rifle was made based on the serial number http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

Thanks for the link. Looks like it was made in 1893

[TRAP55]

Makes me want to get an old Winchester rifle, just so I can pick your brain.

Bob, it would be my pleasure, but keep in mind, you can't own just one, like buying a Mosin, ...only they cost more.
If anyone has a Colt Medium or Large Frame that needs parts, the Italian made reproduction parts work in the originals. Screws I'm not sure on, all the repros I've run across have metric threads.

[john myers]

Bob, it would be my pleasure, but keep in mind, you can't own just one, like buying a Mosin, ...only they cost more.
If anyone has a Colt Medium or Large Frame that needs parts, the Italian made reproduction parts work in the originals. Screws I'm not sure on, all the repros I've run across have metric threads.

Trap
speaking of threads did or does Colt and Winchester use common sae type threads (dia tpi and pitch)

[TRAP55]

John, "common" meaning gunsmith threads, yes, but I don't think there's a type of screw Colt has used that will work in a Winchester, or visa-versa. Maybe something like a tang sight screw hole plug, but nothing else that would fit or work right.
There's a story/rumor? that I've heard for years.
The Colt Lightning Pump rifles were putting a big dent in Winchester rifle sales. Winchester built a prototype handgun, and had a meeting with the Colt execs, so they could examine it. When the meeting was over, Colt agreed to stick to handguns, and Winchester agreed to stick to long guns. This supposedly happened about 1904, the same year Colt stopped production of the Lightning. If true, I'd sure like to see that Winchester handgun!
One of the worst "bubba" gun screw things I run across, is where someone lost a gun screw, and figured the one they got at the hardware store will work, even if it's a little hard to thread in, #6 hole, and a #6 screw, what could go wrong? That #6-32 will surely thread into that #6-40 or #6-48 hole won't it?
I haven't had any real luck finding out how gunsmith screw threads came about. And like that wasn't a PITA already, the Italian repro cowboy guns use them too, only in a Euro metric thread. The real bad part is, they are close enough to be twin of the original, and if you don't know they are metric, you can have a real bad day when you try it.
I've run across some screws on cheap Turk shotguns that defy description. The usual remedy is finding a sae tap that comes close, and just change the screw.