Manufactured in 1888. These "Express Model" rifles were the rarest of the series, and only 6,496 were manufactured in 1887-1894 compared to nearly 90,000 each of the Small and Medium frame versions. The included factory letter states there are no available records for this serial number. The rifle has a special order 32 inch barrel as the standard length was 28 inches. The pistol grip stock is another special order feature. These pistol grip stocks were rare for this model. As Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson noted, "Pistol grip stocks were available on special order, but only a very few were manufactured" (see "The Book of Colt Firearms," page 505). The rifle is fitted with a combination Beach front sight and an elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line Hartford address ahead of the rear sight, and the upper left barrel flat has the caliber designation "40-60-260." The left side of the receiver is stamped with the Rampant Colt trademark, and the serial number is on the lower tang. The upper tang has a single drilled and tapped hole (filler screw absent). The slide handle features multi-point checkering, and the pistol grip stock is plain and fitted with a crescent buttplate.

Fine, retaining 60% original blue finish with an artificial brown patina visible on the magazine tube and some scattered pitting. The stock shows a reglued horizontal crack protruding from the top tang; otherwise, the wood is very good with minor dings and scratches and mostly crisp checkering on the forend. Mechanically fine. A Colt "Express" Lightning slide action rifle in a special order configuration missing from even the most advanced collections.