Colt rifle .22 pump action octagon barrel - The Firearms Forum

emiuni · 02-25-2007, 10:42 AM

Hey guys, I'm trying to dig up some info on a rifle my hubby inherited. It's a Colt rifle .22 pump action with an octagon barrel, ser # 143XX. The last patent date on the barrel is Feb 22, 1887. The decorative grip had broken and been repaired, and there is a chip off the very back tip. Oh - it doesn't look very "blue" to me but please refer to pictures for most reliable view of condition. I took the pictures in sunlight and didn't enhance them at all.

More detailed pics can be seen HERE

Thank you so much in advance!

Emily

The Rifleman · 02-25-2007, 10:51 AM

It looks like a nice gun and would probably be worth about $250 to the right person.

$200 in fair condition

$150 in poor condition.

southernshooter · 02-25-2007, 12:12 PM

Colt Lightning magazine Rifle Small Frame
New in bow $1385
Exc. Shape $1055
Good Shape $725
Fair Shape $500
with optional features add 20%

DanC_1968 · 02-25-2007, 12:18 PM

That is a "Colt Lightning" slide action, small frame. 90,000 were made from 1887 to 1904. Grading yours conservatively at 50-60% condition with the broken forend, The Blue Book of Gun Values still rates it at $495 for 50%, and $535 for 60% condition. If it was sold at a well advertised gun auction(like *********), and 2 or more people were really interested in it, you might be surprised to see what it might sell for--anywhere from the blue book value to 1-1/2 times its value. Sometimes more. Easily, if the forend wasn't broken, and maybe in spite of it. There are a lot of collectors of old .22's(especially with octagon barrels) out there, and not many .22 rifles made by Colt.

The Rifleman · 02-25-2007, 01:55 PM

Yes it might be Dan if it was well kept.

But when you have a rifle with this much damage - not many people are in the market to collect it much past the shooter stage of collectability.

If it was in mint condition with no damage - it might be worth $450!

But with all the little odds and ends it isn't worth much more than the price of something new in comparatable models.

If it is broke when you buy it or if it breaks after you buy it, you are S.O.L. Because they have not made that gun in 100 years and the avaliability of new parts is .oooo1 chance in 1 million of ever finding a origional part.

southernshooter · 02-25-2007, 08:33 PM

Emiuni Here you go this is one in much worse shape than yours selling for $499.95
http://www.gunsamerica.com/classifie...976832528.aspx

Here is another one for $895
http://www.gunsamerica.com/classifie...976840393.aspx

Rifleman is just trying to argue, I am giving you the Blue Book Value along with 2 other books. I am not going to argue with the books if you sell it do it online with the auctions and you could a minumum of $400, Due to the collectibility of the rifle I don't think the buyer would ever shoot it so finding parts won't be an issue

Xracer · 02-26-2007, 07:27 AM

Hi emiuni.........welcome to TFF.

Your Colt Lightning Action - Small Frame rifle was made in 1891, and according to the Blue Book of Gun Values is worth:

90% - $1,000
80% - $795
70% - $650
60% - $575
50% - $535
40% - $495

I agree with DanC.....even with the broken forend, it should sell in the $500 range, perhaps more at auction.

emiuni · 02-26-2007, 02:13 PM

Wow, guys - I am impressed. Thank you so much for all the replys. My husband says he's not going to sell it, but is very happy with all the information you have provided.

In fact, I mentioned to my dad how helpful you all have been and he handed me my Grandfather's rifle and said he does want to get rid of it. It needs to be cleaned up and it's too dark right now to take a decent picture, but if any of you wouldn't mind sharing your knowledge about this one...

Can I post it here or do I need to start a new thread? It's a Winchester model 1890, ser #473xxx. It also has an octagon barrel and a scope. Dad said it's a .22 special - longs won't fit.

Emily

Bruce FLinch · 02-26-2007, 10:43 PM

Start a new thread Maam.
You might want to store your Colt, with the action closed, & the trigger lock on. Keeps the dust out a bit.

Xracer · 02-27-2007, 07:14 AM

Emiuni.....we could answer your 1890 question here, but we'd prefer that you start a new thread. That way, more people will see, and perhaps, learn from it.

Also, it would help if you'd post some pictures of it.....that gives an idea of it's condition.

BTW.....those were very nice pix you posted of the Colt. I wish more people with questions about various guns would post sharp, clear, full length pictures of their firearms.....as your pix were.

wonderwhippet · 02-27-2007, 11:11 AM

Do not atempt to "clean it up". It takes knowledge and expertise to properly clean an antique firearm. If you harm the natural age patina it could hurt the value. Let the buyer do the cleaning.

emiuni · 03-01-2007, 04:12 PM

Sorry guys...didn't mean to leave you hanging. It's been a really busy week and I haven't had a chance to check back here. I'll go start a new thread right now...

02-25-2007, 10:42 AM	#1
emiuni Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4	Colt rifle .22 pump action octagon barrel Hey guys, I'm trying to dig up some info on a rifle my hubby inherited. It's a Colt rifle .22 pump action with an octagon barrel, ser # 143XX. The last patent date on the barrel is Feb 22, 1887. The decorative grip had broken and been repaired, and there is a chip off the very back tip. Oh - it doesn't look very "blue" to me but please refer to pictures for most reliable view of condition. I took the pictures in sunlight and didn't enhance them at all. More detailed pics can be seen HERE Thank you so much in advance! Emily -->

02-25-2007, 10:51 AM	#2
The Rifleman Former Guest Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 135	Re: Colt rifle .22 pump action octagon barrel It looks like a nice gun and would probably be worth about $250 to the right person. $200 in fair condition $150 in poor condition.

02-25-2007, 12:12 PM	#3
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: Colt rifle .22 pump action octagon barrel Colt Lightning magazine Rifle Small Frame New in bow $1385 Exc. Shape $1055 Good Shape $725 Fair Shape $500 with optional features add 20% __________________ Only you can see this

02-25-2007, 01:55 PM	#5
The Rifleman Former Guest Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 135	Re: Colt rifle .22 pump action octagon barrel Yes it might be Dan if it was well kept. But when you have a rifle with this much damage - not many people are in the market to collect it much past the shooter stage of collectability. If it was in mint condition with no damage - it might be worth $450! But with all the little odds and ends it isn't worth much more than the price of something new in comparatable models. If it is broke when you buy it or if it breaks after you buy it, you are S.O.L. Because they have not made that gun in 100 years and the avaliability of new parts is .oooo1 chance in 1 million of ever finding a origional part.

02-25-2007, 08:33 PM	#6
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: Colt rifle .22 pump action octagon barrel Emiuni Here you go this is one in much worse shape than yours selling for $499.95 http://www.gunsamerica.com/classifie...976832528.aspx Here is another one for $895 http://www.gunsamerica.com/classifie...976840393.aspx Rifleman is just trying to argue, I am giving you the Blue Book Value along with 2 other books. I am not going to argue with the books if you sell it do it online with the auctions and you could a minumum of $400, Due to the collectibility of the rifle I don't think the buyer would ever shoot it so finding parts won't be an issue __________________ Only you can see this Last edited by southernshooter; 02-25-2007 at 08:36 PM..

02-25-2007, 12:18 PM	#4
DanC_1968 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 19	Re: Colt rifle .22 pump action octagon barrel That is a "Colt Lightning" slide action, small frame. 90,000 were made from 1887 to 1904. Grading yours conservatively at 50-60% condition with the broken forend, The Blue Book of Gun Values still rates it at $495 for 50%, and $535 for 60% condition. If it was sold at a well advertised gun auction(like *********), and 2 or more people were really interested in it, you might be surprised to see what it might sell for--anywhere from the blue book value to 1-1/2 times its value. Sometimes more. Easily, if the forend wasn't broken, and maybe in spite of it. There are a lot of collectors of old .22's(especially with octagon barrels) out there, and not many .22 rifles made by Colt.

02-26-2007, 07:27 AM	#7
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: Colt rifle .22 pump action octagon barrel Hi emiuni.........welcome to TFF. Your Colt Lightning Action - Small Frame rifle was made in 1891, and according to the Blue Book of Gun Values is worth: 90% - $1,000 80% - $795 70% - $650 60% - $575 50% - $535 40% - $495 I agree with DanC.....even with the broken forend, it should sell in the $500 range, perhaps more at auction.

02-26-2007, 02:13 PM	#8
emiuni Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4	Re: Colt rifle .22 pump action octagon barrel Wow, guys - I am impressed. Thank you so much for all the replys. My husband says he's not going to sell it, but is very happy with all the information you have provided. In fact, I mentioned to my dad how helpful you all have been and he handed me my Grandfather's rifle and said he does want to get rid of it. It needs to be cleaned up and it's too dark right now to take a decent picture, but if any of you wouldn't mind sharing your knowledge about this one... Can I post it here or do I need to start a new thread? It's a Winchester model 1890, ser #473xxx. It also has an octagon barrel and a scope. Dad said it's a .22 special - longs won't fit. Emily Last edited by emiuni; 02-26-2007 at 02:19 PM.. Reason: include ser #

02-26-2007, 10:43 PM	#9
Bruce FLinch Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bay Point, Kali..aka Gun Point Posts: 5,016	Re: Colt rifle .22 pump action octagon barrel Start a new thread Maam. You might want to store your Colt, with the action closed, & the trigger lock on. Keeps the dust out a bit. __________________ A bad day @ the Range, is better than a good day @ work.

02-27-2007, 07:14 AM	#10
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: Colt rifle .22 pump action octagon barrel Emiuni.....we could answer your 1890 question here, but we'd prefer that you start a new thread. That way, more people will see, and perhaps, learn from it. Also, it would help if you'd post some pictures of it.....that gives an idea of it's condition. BTW.....those were very nice pix you posted of the Colt. I wish more people with questions about various guns would post sharp, clear, full length pictures of their firearms.....as your pix were.

02-27-2007, 11:11 AM	#11
wonderwhippet Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,599	Re: Colt rifle .22 pump action octagon barrel Do not atempt to "clean it up". It takes knowledge and expertise to properly clean an antique firearm. If you harm the natural age patina it could hurt the value. Let the buyer do the cleaning.

03-01-2007, 04:12 PM	#12
emiuni Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4	Re: Colt rifle .22 pump action octagon barrel Sorry guys...didn't mean to leave you hanging. It's been a really busy week and I haven't had a chance to check back here. I'll go start a new thread right now...