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RARE GRADE 8 COLT MODEL 1878 10 GAUGE SHOTGUN

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,500.00 USD
RARE GRADE 8 COLT MODEL 1878 10 GAUGE SHOTGUN

W/ FACTORY LETTER. Cal. 10 Ga. S# 8788. 2 -7/8” Chambers. Rare Grade 8 Hammer Shotgun w/ 30" fine Belgium Damascus bbls, tapered smooth concave rib marked COLT'S PT. F.A. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. & single brass sighting bead. Double triggers, non-rebounding hammers. Mounted in nicely figured European walnut. Point checkered round knob half grip stock w/ vacant German silver initial oval on toe line. Heel of butt is inlet for standard steel buttplate but fitted w/ period Rampant Colt embossed hard rubber buttplate. S# 8788 is engraved on the trigger guard tang. Checkered splinter forearm w/ ebony insert tip. Case hardened action & appended metal are factory engraved in delicate foliate arabesque patterns w/ double line borders. Engraved screw heads. Lockplates marked in fancy script w/ maker's name. LOP: 14-1/4”. BORE: R=.775/.020, L=.774/.020.
UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: accompanied by a Colt Factory Letter which indicates 32” barrels (clerical error?). Weight: 10 lbs 4 oz, Factory Engraved with $3.50 worth of engraving & Configuration: Grade 8. Shipped to Hartley & Graham on Oct. 12, 1883 in a one gun shipment. Note: This gun's ship date is two years after the SN's date of manufacture would indicate (early 1881) ... Perhaps a standard stock gun reconfigured to fulfill a special order? CONDITION: good to very good. Bbls do not appear to be shortened & retain much of their chain Damascus pattern, faded w/ scattered oxidation staining. Lockplates, hammers & receiver retain traces of case color in protected areas w/ the balance showing areas of oxidation. Trigger guard has turned to mellow patina. Markings are clear and legible. Good screws. Wood is sound w/ light nicks & scratches throughout. Checkering is worn at handling points. Mechanics are sound. Bbls. ring true. Good bores w/ some light to moderate pitting. Honest example of a scarce graded Colt shotgun. (01-20151/WD). ANTIQUE. $1,500-2,500.