Colt Burgess

[Fortibus55]

Anyone have a suggestion on a good reference book for info on this lever action. A friends father has one he is considering selling and I would like to bone up on what should and shouldn't be before I see it.. He's a nice old fella (like I should talk "old") but has been know to be abit creative and loose with his facts. Somewhat of a "character" to be generous.
Any photos of a correct rifle would certainly be appreciated as well. And a Happy Thanksgiving to all out there.

[Chaffee]

I don't know of a specific book on the Burgess. One thing I can tell you is that all the ones I've handled the forearm wood was cracked along the side parallel to the barrel due to the fact that the wood is VERY thin there (mine is like that). There should be a rampant Colt on the left side of the reciever, although sometimes it's very faint. The top of barrel should read COLT'S PT,F.A.MFG.CO.HARTFORD,CT. U.S.A. on the top line and below that should be patent dates from Jan 7 '78 to Jan 3 '82. On the bottom underside of the lever should be "Bugess Patent" The serial number will be under the lever. The loading gate cover slides to the front and should (but not always will) slide back into place after loading. On rifles, there will be a sliding cover and hole for cleaning rods like Winchester.

I like these rifles alot, they have a compact action like a '92 Win. Good luck!

[Fortibus55]

That info will be a good start for me. Between that and some pictures I found on Google search I should be OK. We'll see how this goes. He's been way out of the normal price ballpark on a couple things of his I've looked at and wouldn't expect this too be much different but who knows. I'll post a photo if successful. Again many thanks.

I don't know of a specific book on the Burgess. One thing I can tell you is that all the ones I've handled the forearm wood was cracked along the side parallel to the barrel due to the fact that the wood is VERY thin there (mine is like that). There should be a rampant Colt on the left side of the reciever, although sometimes it's very faint. The top of barrel should read COLT'S PT,F.A.MFG.CO.HARTFORD,CT. U.S.A. on the top line and below that should be patent dates from Jan 7 '78 to Jan 3 '82. On the bottom underside of the lever should be "Bugess Patent" The serial number will be under the lever. The loading gate cover slides to the front and should (but not always will) slide back into place after loading. On rifles, there will be a sliding cover and hole for cleaning rods like Winchester.

I like these rifles alot, they have a compact action like a '92 Win. Good luck!

[johngross]

Anyone have a suggestion on a good reference book for info on this lever action.

The Colt-Burgess Magazine Rifle by Sam Maxwell is a dedicated book on the Burgess. Considerable detail but may be hard to find and expensive.

John Gross

[Fortibus55]

Thank you for the book information. I'll put it on my to look for list.
Re the Burgess. I was able to take a look at it. It is in darn near "relic" condition at very best, even with my unexperienced eyes. Almost completely rusted inside and out (action doesn't function), barrel actually appears to be bent/warped/something, stocks cracked/broken in several places, and overall a good number of parts missing. I have a couple old Winchesters I hang on the wall in my office "cowboy corner". Wouldn't even put it there. And yet he wants almost as much as the one currently on Gunbroker due to its "rarity".
Now I'm a big believer in a person can ask anything they want for something they own and I've no business insulting/lecturing them as I'm not forced to buy it. But I was abit surprized at his actual anger when I advised I wasn't interested. I did know the old fella was described as a "character"...not sure that goes far enough.
Anyway, thanks for the info provided.

[Roninrlm]

Want to buy a Colt Burgess Carbine Serial #1 in almost perfect condition? I saw it in Cody but just didn't have enough on me at the time to buy it.

There is a good article on the Burgess in the Spring 2006 issue of The Rampant Colt ,page 12.

Ronin

[Fortibus55]

Thanks for the lead on the article, I'll see if I can find it. And re the SN #1, love too but fear the wife might have a problem living in a tent after I've had to sell the house. She's been real supportive of this Colt obsession...up to this point. Don't want to push that envelope too far. I'll just keep looking for something abit more modest.
[QUOTE=Roninrlm;292680]Want to buy a Colt Burgess Carbine Serial #1 in almost perfect condition? I saw it in Cody but just didn't have enough on me at the time to buy it.

There is a good article on the Burgess in the Spring 2006 issue of The Rampant Colt ,page 12.

Ronin