SPECTACULAR, HIGH CONDITION, EXCEPTIONALLY RARE, GOLD INLAID COLT HAMMERLESS 1883 SHOTGUN WITH EXTRA BARRELS.

SPECTACULAR, HIGH CONDITION, EXCEPTIONALLY RARE, GOLD INLAID COLT HAMMERLESS 1883 SHOTGUN WITH EXTRA BARRELS. SN 7654. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. This truly exceptional high grade special order Colt hammerless shotgun has exceedingly rare gold inlaid bands around breech ends of bbls with corresponding bands on fences, along with gold inlaid name on trigger guard bow. It is also engraved with a large amount of scroll and beautifully rendered hunting dogs and game birds, a product of the Helfricht Shop. This gun is illustrated on pages 488 and 489 of THE COLT ENGRAVING BOOK, Volume I, by R. L. Wilson, and on page 348 of COLT ENGRAVING, also by R. L. Wilson. It has two sets of fine two blade Damascus bbls with concave matted game ribs fitted with two ivory beads, marked “COLT’S P T F. A. MFG CO HARTFORD CT USA” at rear of ribs. 30″ Set is marked “1”, and 28″ set is stamped “2”, on splinters. Case hardened boxlock action features automatic safety (SAFE relief engraved) and double triggers. Along with the gold inlay are exceptional quality and fine game scenes (setter and flushing partridge on left, pointer with alert quail on right), the patent dates on bottom of action are also hand engraved. Beautifully marbled, stump figured European walnut semi pistol grip buttstock measures 13-5/8″ over rampant Colt logo checkered hard rubber buttplate. Grip and side panels are checkered at about 20 LPI with arced and cyma curved borders with uncheckered arrowheads in side panels. Side panels also have lozenge shaped drop points. Stocks are finished with high gloss French polish. Matching splinter type forends have inset ebony tips and Colt’s adaptation of the Deeley release, and are stamped “1” or “2” on inside of irons. 30″ BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.724, right -.722. Bore restrictions: left -.020, right -.016. Wall thickness: left -.026, right -.022. Drop at heel: 3-1/8″, drop at comb: 1-9/16″. Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz, LOP 13-5/8″. 28″ BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.722, right -.719. Bore restrictions: left -.012, right -.002. Wall thickness: left -.030, right -.032. Drop at heel: 3-1/8″, drop at comb: 1-9/16″. Weight: 7 lbs. 4 oz, LOP 13-5/8″. CONDITION: Truly exceptional. Bbls retain 95 – 98% orig dramatic black and white Damascus finish, with some minor spotting, and silvering at muzzles. Action retains 90% + orig bright case hardening color, only slightly silvered on high edges, and thinned at bottom. Nearly all orig case hardening color remains on forend latches. Tumbler end sear pins retain nearly all of their brilliant fire blue. Top lever and trigger guard retain most of their orig charcoal blue, with some flaking and thinning to silver on thumbpiece and grip. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig French polish finish with numerous marks and small spots chipped through on left butt. Checkering is very slightly worn, with a few small areas “cleaned up”. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout. Action is tight. Most probably the finest high grade Colt hammerless in existence. 4-46380 MGM83 (55,000-65,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1359A	$0.00	SPECTACULAR, HIGH CONDITION, EXCEPTIONALLY RARE, GOLD INLAID COLT HAMMERLESS 1883 SHOTGUN WITH EXTRA BARRELS. SN 7654. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. This truly exceptional high grade special order Colt hammerless shotgun has exceedingly rare gold inlaid bands around breech ends of bbls with corresponding bands on fences, along with gold inlaid name on trigger guard bow. It is also engraved with a large amount of scroll and beautifully rendered hunting dogs and game birds, a product of the Helfricht Shop. This gun is illustrated on pages 488 and 489 of THE COLT ENGRAVING BOOK, Volume I, by R. L. Wilson, and on page 348 of COLT ENGRAVING, also by R. L. Wilson. It has two sets of fine two blade Damascus bbls with concave matted game ribs fitted with two ivory beads, marked “COLT’S P T F. A. MFG CO HARTFORD CT USA” at rear of ribs. 30″ Set is marked “1”, and 28″ set is stamped “2”, on splinters. Case hardened boxlock action features automatic safety (SAFE relief engraved) and double triggers. Along with the gold inlay are exceptional quality and fine game scenes (setter and flushing partridge on left, pointer with alert quail on right), the patent dates on bottom of action are also hand engraved. Beautifully marbled, stump figured European walnut semi pistol grip buttstock measures 13-5/8″ over rampant Colt logo checkered hard rubber buttplate. Grip and side panels are checkered at about 20 LPI with arced and cyma curved borders with uncheckered arrowheads in side panels. Side panels also have lozenge shaped drop points. Stocks are finished with high gloss French polish. Matching splinter type forends have inset ebony tips and Colt’s adaptation of the Deeley release, and are stamped “1” or “2” on inside of irons. 30″ BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.724, right -.722. Bore restrictions: left -.020, right -.016. Wall thickness: left -.026, right -.022. Drop at heel: 3-1/8″, drop at comb: 1-9/16″. Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz, LOP 13-5/8″. 28″ BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.722, right -.719. Bore restrictions: left -.012, right -.002. Wall thickness: left -.030, right -.032. Drop at heel: 3-1/8″, drop at comb: 1-9/16″. Weight: 7 lbs. 4 oz, LOP 13-5/8″. CONDITION: Truly exceptional. Bbls retain 95 – 98% orig dramatic black and white Damascus finish, with some minor spotting, and silvering at muzzles. Action retains 90% + orig bright case hardening color, only slightly silvered on high edges, and thinned at bottom. Nearly all orig case hardening color remains on forend latches. Tumbler end sear pins retain nearly all of their brilliant fire blue. Top lever and trigger guard retain most of their orig charcoal blue, with some flaking and thinning to silver on thumbpiece and grip. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig French polish finish with numerous marks and small spots chipped through on left butt. Checkering is very slightly worn, with a few small areas “cleaned up”. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout. Action is tight. Most probably the finest high grade Colt hammerless in existence. 4-46380 MGM83 (55,000-65,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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