early Colt-Burgess .44-40 WCF "New Magazine" Lever Action Sporting Rifle Our Assessment: Although Colt was predominately a manufacturer of popular revolvers, such as the Colt Single Action Army, in the 1880s the company began to seek to compete against Winchester in the rifle market. In 1882, Colt contacted Andrew Burgess to design a lever-action rifle and by July 1883, production of the new rifle had begun. The Colt-Burgess was produced for sixteen months thereafter, with a total of 6,403 guns manufactured. Approximately 60% of these were of the rifle variation. When compared to production figures of Winchester's 1873 rifle, the Colt-Burgess failed as a serious competitor to Winchester. From 1873 to 1919, Winchester MANUFACTURED 720,610 Model 1873 rifles, or an average of over 15,000 per year.The short production history of the Colt-Burgess has led to much speculation as to the reason of its demise. According to legend, upon hearing of Colt's entrance into the lever-action rifle market, Winchester began to develop a prototype revolver to compete with Colt's market. A "gentleman's agreement" then followed between Colt and Winchester, with Colt agreeing to drop production of the Burgess and Winchester abandoning its plans to develop a revolver. The truth of this story has never been fully verified, and as such, the reason for the Burgess rifle's short production history is unknown.Whether you collect Colts or Winchesters, you need a Burgess in your collection. They are quite Rare and when we do see them, they are usually pretty thrashed. This gun shows its age, but still has strong mechanics and a reasonable bore for a 130 year old gun which would have seen exclusive use with black powder. Please see our photos and good luck!
Make: Colt
Model: Colt-Burgess, Model 1883, New Magazine Rifle
Serial Number: 153
Year of Manufacture: 1883
Caliber: .44-40 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action, Full Length Tube Magazine Fed Rifle
Barrel Length: 25 1/2", Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a German silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Marble's buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The rear sight has a white diamond aiming reference with a reversible leaf to present either a "V" or a "U"-notch. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate with sliding door over a storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The forend has patches of more notable scraping. There are a couple of small losses at the front of the wrist. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 12 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. The plate has gone to a light patina with some scattered light marks. The stocks rate in Good-Very Good overall condition as ANTIQUE.
Type of Finish: Blue & Casehardened Lever
Finish Originality: We see no evidence of refinishing, but most exposed surfaces show aggressive cleaning.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with strong rifling. There is some scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 5% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is found on the interior of the receiver, the bolt and protected areas of the lever. Other surfaces have mostly gone to a light patina or worn/cleaned to white. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with notable tool marks around the replaced screw in the left receiver flat. There is a cluster of nicks on the top tang behind the hammer. There are tool marks at most screw heads. There is some scattered minor surface erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from tool marked with strong slots to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are generally clear, the rampant colt is worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as ANTIQUE.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
CA LEGAL: ANTIQUE
RIFLE