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Scarce and Desirable Documented Colt Model 1878 Double Barrel Hammer Shotgun with Factory Letter

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,300.00 USD Estimated At:3,250.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Scarce and Desirable Documented Colt Model 1878 Double Barrel Hammer Shotgun with Factory Letter

Estimate: $3250 - 5000
Less than 23,000 (22,683) Model 1878 Shotguns were manufactured by Colt between 1878 and 1889. The accompanying factory letter states that it was shipped to Schoverling, Daly & Gales in New York, New York on May 1, 1883. The letter describes the shotgun as a "Grade 2", 12 gauge, with 30-inch barrels, blue finish and "wood" stock. The shotgun has Damascus barrels with a single brass bead sight on the concave solid rib. The trigger guard, lower tang, trigger guard plate and break lever are blue and the remaining parts casehardened. The side plates are engraved "Colt's Pt. F. A. Mfg. Co." and the serial number is engraved on the lower tang. The matching serial number is marked on the barrel flat, water table and inside of the forearm hardware. Mounted with a smooth walnut forearm with an ebony forend insert and straight grip stock with a steel shotgun buttplate. The Colt Model 1878 Double Barrel Hammer Shotgun was the highest priced item in the Colt line and is considered to be the finest quality American production shotgun. Length of pull is 14 inches.
BBL: 30 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 12
Finish: Damascus/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 13749
Condition: Very fine. The blue Damascus finish on the barrel has aged to a very attractive brown patina. The lower tang and trigger guard are a mix of original blue finish and smooth gray patina. Much of the original bright case colors remain in the protected areas with a smooth silver gray on the balance. The buttplate shows some faded case colors in the center and has silvered out around the outer edges. The wood is very good overall with most of the original varnish and shows a number of small minor pressure dents on the forearm and some minoe dings and scratches on the stock. The bores are bright. Mechanically excellent. This is a nice example of a scarce and desirable Colt Model 1878 Double Barrel Hammer Shotgun.
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