Colt Burgess Rifle
Colt's Manufacturing Company · Rifle · Discontinued · 1883
Also known as: Colt-Burgess, Colt Model 1883 Burgess
Overview
The Colt Burgess Rifle was a .44-40 lever-action repeating rifle and Colt's only lever-action long gun, produced briefly from 1883 to 1885 to challenge Winchester's dominance. Designed by Andrew Burgess, it used a toggle lockup and sliding loading gate and was considered slightly lighter, shorter and stronger than the rival Winchester 1873. Sharing the .44-40 cartridge with Colt's revolvers, it was a capable rifle that nonetheless had a very short production life.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3969 g (140.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1086 mm (42.76") |
| Barrel Length | 648 mm (25.51") |
| Action Type | Lever Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 15 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Tube |
| Effective Range | 150 m (164 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .44-40 Winchester · primary — also known as .44-40 WCF, .44 WCF
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Tubular Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Toggle Lockup, Sliding Loading Gate, Tubular Magazine, Straight Grip Stock
Variants
- Colt Burgess Saddle-Ring Carbine — Carbine
Production
Estimated total produced: 6,403 · Production years: 1883-1885
About 6,403 units over a roughly 16-month run
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Andrew Burgess
Discontinued: 1885
Notes
Made in rifle, half-octagon sporting rifle, and 20-inch saddle-ring carbine forms.
Background
Colt's only lever-action rifle was reportedly dropped after Winchester threatened to enter the revolver market in retaliation; the legendary 'gentleman's agreement' between the two firms is widely repeated but has never been documented.