Mint Colt Model 1878 SxS Side by Side Twist Steel 10 Gauge Ga. Hammer Shotgun 1882 – Antique

Sold For: $6,205

Make: Colt

Model: 1878 Side by Side

Serial Number: 13384

Year of Manufacture: 1882

Gauge: 10 Gauge

Action Type: Top-Break Dual External Hammers, Dual Triggers, Side by Side Shotgun with Extractor

Markings: The left and right lock plates are marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO.” The water table is marked “13384” and “K”. There is a “P” in the locking lug hole on the water table. The bottom tang is marked “13384”. The water table is marked “13384”. The right side of the locking lug is marked “O” The top of the locking lug is marked “K”. The underside of the left barrel is marked with a shape which is a combination of an “I”, “T” and “H”. The underside of the other is marked with what appears to be an H. The center under side rib is marked “P, T, P 7, 10,7H7 7 Y”. The forend is marked “13384”. The top rib is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. CO HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” There is tasteful border engraving on all metal parts but the right plate.

Barrel Length: 32”

Choke: The left bore measures .751” at the muzzle and the right bore measures .755” at the muzzle.

Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a steel bead front sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered hardwood. The forend has a black triangular piece on the forward tip. The left side of the checkering has a small patch where the checkering has been compressed. The buttstock has light compression marks scattered throughout. There are no cracks or losses. There is a metal insert on the belly of the buttstock which is slightly raised up and can be felt by passing your finger over it. The wood to metal fit is perfect with no gaps. The condition of the wood matches that of the metal. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the forward trigger to the back of the case colored steel buttplate. The finish on the buttplate is thinned and patchy. The stocks rate in about Fine to Excellent overall condition for an antique.

Type of Finish: Blue and Case Colored

Finish Originality: All Original

Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is light frosting in the bore.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The case coloring on the side lock plates and hammers is very bright. The hammers have the factory hex nuts holding them in place. The case coloring on the rest of the receiver is still present but it is somewhat muted. The twist steel pattern on the barrels looks almost as new. There are the smallest spots of frosting on the barrel. The trigger guard is factory blue. The blued trigger guard shows light wear and thinning. The buttplate is case colored and the majority has thinned away. The wood to metal fit is exceptional and the metal condition matches that of the wood perfectly. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Excellent condition for an antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: All we can say is WOW! If you could go back in time and bring one of these back with you; that is the only way you could get close to the condition of this shotgun. It appears that this was stored in a vacuum chamber for the majority of its life. Other than the light compression marks on the stocks and dulling of the case colors on the frame, this shotgun is as close to pristine as you can get. This shotgun looks newer than shotguns which were made less than 10 years ago. As we have stated before, the barrels are twist steel, the side plates, hammers, buttplate, and top tang are case colored. The bottom tang and trigger guard are blued. All of the finishes are as they came from the factory. The wood to metal finish is perfect; there is no play or gaps. According to Colt’s website this was made in 1882 and has probably only been used a few times since then. If you are a collector of Colt or Shotguns, you should not let this one pass you by. It is in truly amazing condition. There is nothing that matches the elegance of these old exposed hammer shotguns. In our opinion, this one is museum ready.