I went to Denver last weekend and it almost busted me. I had no idea what I was getting into. This could be the finest gun show in America. No black guns or Glocks, just good ol' blued steel and Walnut stocks. This is also a rare configuration in short rifle. I pictured it along side of a medium action 44-40.

I found this large frame Lightning in 40-60-260 along with some other guns there. I left Denver nearly broke, but certainly not a bust...

Interesting striations on the first rifle and it looks like they may also be on the second rifle. Is that in the metal or is it wear of some sort?

You will see that in almost all of the receivers of these old flat sided guns. It is from the process of making the steel in the action and the striations are what shows up years after they were made...

Very nice find!!!
Got a brown medium frame in 44-40. Shoots like a champ. Always wanted a large frame.

Very nice find!! Enjoy

Sweet! If only that old girl could talk...

Pretty cool.

schrap, you got lightning and thunderer pistols to pair them with?

You find the coolest things!

ebay has a hex barrel for your new caliber for 199.99. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Colt-Light...aliber-Good-Shape-Original-/382336133149

Nope, I stay away from fragile stuff like that because you can’t shoot them and expect them to last...

Wish we had shows like that around here.
Blue and wood anything is outnumbered at least 25 to 1 by black and plastic.

I hunt pawnshops for older classic rifles.

Gunshows around here kinda suck.
But every so often you can find something.

Thats pretty cool.


You got brass for that one?

A doggone good looking gun for sure. Nice snag.

Thinking here also about the striations. Wondering if it was the last direction of the forging process. Or... if cast, the direction it was poured.?

Yes that is a result of the forging process. Most of the older guns like that have that and it doesn't matter what manufacturer made them...

I have ammunition for it, it is the same as 40-65 Winchester and I already have 2 of those in 1886's...

Good deal!

Very neat!!

Sorry to hear they didn’t have anything good.

Too bad it wasn’t a creed....

Dickweed.

Great find, I've always liked the lightning models.

Of course (two 1886s...) You do make it hard for a fellow to not be jealous.

Awesome!!

Wow. Great find. Thanks for sharing!

I wish the gun shows around here were half-way decent. I rarely go anymore as they are filled with crap that is maked up 20% above what one can normally buy it for. Combine that with a $20 enterance fee? No thank you!

Cool guns

What show here in Denver? Most I have been to are loaded with tactical schist....

Tanner was this weekend, but I believe it was their annual collector show.

Shrap - could you give me an idea what the 44-40 version might be worth?
I know the location of one, but have NO idea what a fair offer would be. It is in as good shape as yours.
PM if you prefer.

PM sent...