Picked up this 1891 Colt Lightning in 44-40 and noted some stamps on the stock, receiver and barrel that say "Western". Some internet work revealed that it was the property of Western Costume Company, founded in 1912 and probably the largest and longest lived Hollywood movie prop house in the business. They supplied and manufactured costumes and props for movies shot all over the world, ones like Cleopatra and The Ten Commandments. The internet only provided a Lightning being used in one movie, For a Few Dollars More, it's one of Lee Van Cleef's guns, seen briefly when he unrolls his arsenal on his horse. The Lightning is just under the long barreled revolver in the photo.
The movie was shot mostly in Spain, so I'm working on figuring out where the props might have come from. Both of my sons are in the film business and will help, but that info may be lost in time. Either way the rifle will need some repair so I'm going to get it apart and cleaned up. The stock is in bad shape so I won't test fire it until I get some work done, but the mechanics all seem to be working.
I will keep the forum posted as the project progresses.
The movie was shot mostly in Spain, so I'm working on figuring out where the props might have come from. Both of my sons are in the film business and will help, but that info may be lost in time. Either way the rifle will need some repair so I'm going to get it apart and cleaned up. The stock is in bad shape so I won't test fire it until I get some work done, but the mechanics all seem to be working.
I will keep the forum posted as the project progresses.
