Manufactured 1891 this highly sought after deluxe variation of the Colt Large Frame "Express Model" Lightning Rifle is chambered in .38-56-255 caliber. The rifle is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight and a folding tang peep sight. The barrel is stamped with the two-line Hartford address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight and "38-56-255" in script on the upper left flat at the breech. A Rampant Colt is stamped on the left side of the receiver. The checkered forearm and pistol grip stock are deluxe walnut. The buttstock has a blank silver initial oval on the underside and a crescent buttplate. The Colt Lightning rifles were Colt's most successful attempt to compete with Winchester, Remington, Marlin, and others in the lucrative repeating rifle market but were still sold in relatively small numbers despite being very fast actions and reliable. 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. A Colt "Express Model" Lighting rifle with deluxe checkered stock and forearm is seldom encountered.

Very fine, retaining 70% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The buttplate has faded to a gray. Nearly all original case colors remain on the hammer. 40% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The wood is also very fine with most of the original varnish, scattered minor dings and scratches, and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent.