The old Colt lightning revisited

[JunkCollector]

It's been awhile since I've had it out.
Last time it or I shot worth......well not good.

Today I pulled it out and had a bit of a revelation.
I always assumed.....It was just well worn to a silver color.

Now I'm not so sure....I think it may have been a special order nickel one.

I didn't expect much after my last outing and basically just wanted to see if it was keyholing.

Right now I'm thinking it came as a nickel gun.

[sakodude]

Looking a bit closer you may well be right. The loading gate and screws certainly look nickel. It may be letter time.

[Japhy]

Very nice
I have seen a blued version of one of those years ago. The nickel plated version is an upgrade and the stock is from a better grade of walnut.
Might check the serial to determine the manufacture date.

[JunkCollector]

I did check the serial today Japhy it dates to 1885

[Japhy]

That one might get a decent bid on the auction sites
Or you could put it along side all those Winchester pumps you have collected.

[Chiro1989]

Was it keyholing before? What did you do different?

[Big Al1]

Shoots good!! .32-20??!!

[JunkCollector]

Was it keyholing before? What did you do different?

I wasn't shooting paper last time......but it was all over the place.
It may have been different ammo but it was bad.
That's why I just wanted to hit paper a few times to check.

[JunkCollector]

Shoots good!! .32-20??!!

This one is 44-40.....it's funny to shoot as it sounds like a mortar.

[Gene L]

Looks nickel to me. If you took off the fore end, which may tell you since it's not been exposed to the elements.

[Bigslug]

As sharp as the barrel lettering is, it's not a refinish. Underside of the sight, inside of the buttplate, under the pump handle, and between the barrel and mag should tell the tale on nickel or not.

Keyholing. . .or not. . . Really just a matter of sussing out what the barrel needs. Pounding a pure lead slug down the barrel to get your groove diameter and running bullets of 10-12 BHN sized .001" to .002" over that should be all that's REALLY required to make it sing.

[JunkCollector]

It's definitely nickel on it now.
I never really even thought it could have been special ordered in nickel.
Quite frankly just thought it was worn that way......duh

I did put in for a letter.
Would be a BA CAS gun.

[Elk Creek]

That’s a slick rifle! Slug the barrel it will shoot fine with the right bullets

[Wambli Ska]

It's definitely nickel on it now.
I never really even thought it could have been special ordered in nickel.
Quite frankly just thought it was worn that way......duh

I did put in for a letter.
Would be a BA CAS gun.

IT would absolutely be a badazz CAS gun! Even better in factory nickel plating

[Gene L]

The loading gate is a giveaway for nickel. If it was originally blue, the lg would be blue. That's the last thing to lose its finish. YMMV...that's just my opinion.