The Good Lord has blessed me.
I attended one of the best antique gunshows today (Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, Pa.) and after walking the aisles for 3 hours I decided to take a break and sit outside. I was a little burned up when my buddy Gary come running up to me with an 1873 in 38-40 (made in 1889) and screams in my face, "Lookee what I stole for $2200". Absolutely beautiful octagon barreled rifle with 95% bright blue and perfect wood. That was a screamin' bargain He says to me, "Find anything worthwhile?" I said, "Just overpriced junk, lets go home" Lots of neat stuff. Rock Island Auction had a preview of some of their guns that were going for auction next month. In there I saw a deluxe pistol gripped 1886 carbine in 50-110. Looked about new. Pre-auction estimate--$75,000-$125,000. Or a deluxe 1876 in 45-75, also in about new condition with an estimate of $40,000-$60,000. Many other fine condition leverguns including nice Henry's and single action Colts in the $10,000 to $150,000 range. I figured that with a fork-lift drivers paycheck, I might as well skip that auction.
So..................back to sitting outside. I was alone at this time when this guy comes walking out of the gunshow with his head down holding a Colt Lightning. I says, "Whats the matter bud?" He says, "I can't get my price for this rifle and everyone looked at it." I says, "Gimme a look see". Here is this Colt Lightning in 44-40 that looked like it was shot about 10 boxes of shells out of it. Nice sharp lines, excellent bore, super wood, nice sharp Rampant Colt on the side of the receiver, excellent barrel lettering, but...................the blue on the receiver either flaked off or somehow dissapeared. It might have been a possible special order nickel plated receiver that the nickel flaked off but the factory letter that also came with the gun does not show that. It was priced about right (18). I looked at it some more and shelled out the bucks. Then he tells me he has another rifle out in the car, so I walked out with him.
We get out to the car and he pulls out this monstrosity of a rifle. Its an 1881 Marlin in 40-60. (same as 40-65 Winchester) The whole thing is covered with a light coat of rust. Here my little brain determines its only light rust that will EASILY come off. Then................I really start looking at it.................This rifle is hardly used at all. The bore was bright and shiney, excellent wood, no metal pits, sharp mechanics and an original Lyman tang sight. I look at the serial number and see that its number is only 2,000 higher than the first numbers recorded! Made in 1883. The first couple of months production.
This Marlin is the heavy receiver version with a 30" HEAVY OCTAGON BARREL. When I got home I put it on the scale--------12 POUNDS. price? The guy says because of all of the rust, he will take $800 for it. I wet and soiled my shorts on the spot. O.K., Back to the Colt Lightning---------SERIAL NUMBER 58 Thats right "FIFTY EIGHT" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After the seller and I parted ways, I walked back to the show and a small crowd surrounded me as I was telling them about the low serial number. Then some of the dealers came outside when they heard the commotion and looked AGAIN at this Colt. EVERYONE ONE OF THEM COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW STUPID THEY WERE FOR NOT NOTICING THE SERIAL NUMBER!! And this gun was in a LOT of hands before it saw me. Like I said, I was blessed. Last night my daughter locked her keys in her car and while I'm pretty good at breaking into things, I could not get into this car (Mit. Eclipse) While I did jump on her poop a little for not keeping an extra key, I paid for a guy to come out to the house to get into it and did not ask my daughter to repay me. (Besides, if I did, my Italian wife would bust me upside of the head) The Good Lord took care of me for my good deed. My buddy Gary and I sang all of the way home.
When I did get home I had to change my underpants. They were so messy I threw them away. My buddy Gary did get a bit upset because the stuff went through my pants and onto the seat of his new Ford pick-up truck. He also made me keep the window rolled down Oh well, the money I had saved up for the new Colt AR in .308 with new scope is gone now. Big deal, I'm so happy with these new/old lever/pump guns, I could care less as finds like this happen about three times in a lifetime.
Colt Lightning in 44 W.C.F.-------As soon as I got home I shot 5 rounds out of it. 1 and 1/2" at 50 yards
Serial number 58
The mighty 1881 Marlin
I am so green I could hide in the produce bin and no one would see me. What a couple of finds .... And your buddy's 1873 too.
--------Jeff Pappa & Joe Mamma 
" And here, I was outside enjoying the sunshine and warm air when this dude comes walking by. 
That reminds me of this gun. Condition was about 2%. I heard they had to near give it away.------------------Sixgun
