This unique Colt Lightning Baby Carbine was manufactured in 1900. The Baby carbine has a blue finish with casehardened hammer. The stock and forend are oil-finished walnut. The barrel has a carbine barrel band, carbine style block front sight and carbine folding leaf rear sight. A saddle ring is mounted on the left side of the receiver and the stock has a steel carbine buttplate. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT.U.S.A./PATENTED MAY29. SEPT.1883 MAY 26 85.JUNE15 86.FEB.22.87" ahead of the rear sight. "44 Cal" is boldly stamped on the left side of the barrel below the rear sight. The Rampant Colt trademark is stamped on the left side of the frame. The serial number, "85803" is located on the lower tang. The right side of the barrel is stamped with German "Crown B/Crown U" and "Crown/G" commercial proofmarks just ahead of the frame. "Crown B/Crown U" proofmarks are stamped on the right side of the frame. The accompanying factory letter verifies serial number 85803 as a Medium Frame Baby carbine, 44 CLMR caliber, 20" barrel, blue finish, wood stocks and that it was shipped as 1 of 6 to Winchester Repeating Arms Company, New York on February 10, 1900. Consignor notes state that this was 1 of 6 Colt Lightning's used by the Kaiser's home guard.

Fine. The rifle retains 50% of the faded original high polish blue finish. The blue on the barrel and magazine is mostly a blue/brown mix. The frame has some moderate finish wear on contact points and the balance has aged to a blue/brown patina. There are several minor scratches on the sides of the frame. The frame and barrel markings are crisp. The re-oiled stock and forearm are in fine condition and show minimum handling wear. This is a very good example of a scarce Colt Lightning Magazine Slide Action Carbine rarely encountered with German proofmarks.