Colt and Colt, Lightning strikes twice!

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

A Colt companion set, a 22 small frame lightning rifle and an 1877 revolver also in 22 rimfire. The rifle is chambered for 22 long while the revolver is chambered for 22LR. Of course, it will also shoot 22 long ammo! The conversion to 22 rimfire was done by gunsmith George Matthews in 1953. It is pictured in the 1969 edition of the Guns and Ammo annual (hardback).

Found some pictures:

Lightning does strike twice! Small frame Lightning rifle and customized Lightning revolver by gunsmith George Matthews Rifle dates to about 1900 and the Model 1877 revolver to about 1883. Mods done in 1953. Grips are ivory!

A close up view:

pwd72s · 12-15-2019, 01:39 PM

Beautiful!

tabs · 12-15-2019, 01:43 PM

But Black and Plastic is SOOO much more durable...

pwd72s · 12-15-2019, 01:50 PM

In some states, illegal to sell Ivory or items containing Ivory. In Oregon, it's even illegal to have Mastadon ivory. They must be endangered?
Oregon's law mimics California's ban.
Big sigh of relief that none of my cues have ivory.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

In some states, illegal to sell Ivory or items containing Ivory. In Oregon, it's even illegal to have Mastadon ivory. They must be endangered?
Oregon's law mimics California's ban.
Big sigh of relief that none of my cues have ivory.

In Georgia and many other states, as long as the ivory (part/s) are a small percentage of the total value i.e., grips or scales on a knife then it is legal to sell. Another example would be ivory keys on a piano. If I were to remove the ivory grips and try to sell them separately, that would be illegal.

pwd72s · 12-15-2019, 03:32 PM

Or maybe sell the gun and give the grips as a gift? Nice to know you live in a logical state.

I agree with protecting the elephants...but to make pre ban ivory illegal doesn't make sense.

tabs · 12-15-2019, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Or maybe sell the gun and give the grips as a gift? Nice to know you live in a logical state.

I agree with protecting the elephants...but to make pre ban ivory illegal doesn't make sense.

If you haven't noticed yet..the world hasn't been making sense since 2008..and it has been getting worse everyday since then.

MRM · 12-15-2019, 06:41 PM

2008? We haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine.

Oh, but the ivory ban has an exception for pre-ban ivory as long as you can document provenance. The burden of proof is on the owner.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRM

2008? We haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine.

Oh, but the ivory ban has an exception for pre-ban ivory as long as you can document provenance. The burden of proof is on the owner.

to never check into the Hotel California!

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRM

Oh, but the ivory ban has an exception for pre-ban ivory as long as you can document provenance. The burden of proof is on the owner.

I have an issue of Guns and Ammo Annual from 1969 with a picture of the gun and a notarized letter from the gunsmith's widow stating the modifications were done on that gun (by serial number) and by her husband in 1953. I think that should work if I decide to sell the gun!

MRM · 12-16-2019, 09:22 AM

If you carried those with you even Hotel California might let you leave.

I am always struck by the absolute beauty and elegance of guns of that era. They were designed to be beautiful to look at and pleasing to hold as well as being accurate and reliable. They were meant to be works of art and they truly are. And like all good art, they keep getting better with age.

Thanks for sharing these beauties.

john70t · 12-16-2019, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

I agree with protecting the elephants...but to make pre ban ivory illegal doesn't make sense.

The unfortunate irony is that destroying contraband tusks makes all the others on the illegal market much more valuable. (supply v demand)
It doesn't fund anti-poaching efforts.
It doesn't help catch the existing criminal networks led by mob bosses.

And more people will start hunting mastadons:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/14/permafrost-thaw-sparks-fear-of-mammoth-ivory-gold-rush-in-russia

pwd72s · 12-16-2019, 09:52 AM

Yep..sure fire way to make people want is to ban it. I remember when books were promoted by saying a book was "banned in Boston".

Jeff Higgins · 12-16-2019, 10:20 AM

Very, very nice, Fred. Outstanding examples of some really cool firearms.

targa911S · 12-16-2019, 05:35 PM

beautiful. and Colts!

tabs · 12-17-2019, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRM

If you carried those with you even Hotel California might let you leave.

I am always struck by the absolute beauty and elegance of guns of that era. They were designed to be beautiful to look at and pleasing to hold as well as being accurate and reliable. They were meant to be works of art and they truly are. And like all good art, they keep getting better with age.

Thanks for sharing these beauties.

I think Sam Colt would disagree with you.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabs

I think Sam Colt would disagree with you.

with Tabs on this. Guns are simply machines made to do a special job. And, that's really all they can do plain or pretty. However, just because a rifle or revolver is dolled up doesn't mean it can't function as well as it's plain jane sister. So, blued steel or nickel/silver plated, basic gun or master engraved, they are all siblings under the skin! The main attraction for me to own something "special" is the rarity aspect. Kind of like driving an Alfa Romeo GTZ rather than a Chevrolet sedan!

Jeff Higgins · 12-17-2019, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fred cook

with Tabs on this. Guns are simply machines made to do a special job. And, that's really all they can do plain or pretty. However, just because a rifle or revolver is dolled up doesn't mean it can't function as well as it's plain jane sister. So, blued steel or nickel/silver plated, basic gun or master engraved, they are all siblings under the skin! The main attraction for me to own something "special" is the rarity aspect. Kind of like driving an Alfa Romeo GTZ rather than a Chevrolet sedan!

Pragmatically, you guys are, of course, correct. There is a pleasure to be found, however, in articles - be they firearms, musical instruments, or cars - that have been produced by caring, skillful hands. To me, that is one of the joys of firearms like the Colts you have presented.

Yes, my modern Ruger Blackhawks are, by most measures, "better" firearms than my Colts. The fit, finish, craftsmanship, beauty, and obvious care in assembly, however, render the Colts as far more pleasing to me. They harken to a different time, have a certain "romance" about them, that modern firearms will never replicate.

MRM · 12-17-2019, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabs

I think Sam Colt would disagree with you.

Sam Colt and some know-nothings at a little museum in New York City consider his guns to be works of art.

tabs · 12-17-2019, 09:24 PM

The guns were designed and mfg for a functional purpose..bullets in bullets out..the rest is in the eye of the beholder and they can say anything they like.

Sam Colt did embellish his products either on special order or for presentation pieces to garner govt contracts for his products. It can be perceived that the embellishment itself served a functional purpose..getting the new contracts..

There is no doubt though that the design of these spoons is aesthetically pleasing. Colt though would have seen them as being functional tools.