EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AND VERY FINE COLT DOUBLE RIFLE.

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AND VERY FINE COLT DOUBLE RIFLE. SN 32. Cal. 45-70. Based on the Colt 1878 model double shotgun action, it is estimated that there are fewer than 40 examples of this pinnacle of Colt’s production of long guns ever produced. There are one or 2 known examples numbered in the serial range of the 1878 shotgun but most are in their own range from no. 1 to approximately 35. This particular example has nicely browned 28″ laminated Damascus bbls with full length flat rib engraved “Colt’s PT F. A. Mfg. Co. Hartford. CT. U. S. A.” toward breech end. German silver blade front sight is dovetailed through ovoid base. SN is on bbl flats, and a wide sling loop is screwed to bottom rib. It is interesting to note that the right bbl has right hand twist rifling, where as the left bbl has left hand twist. Original rear bbl sight has been removed with well fitted flush blank set into dovetail. Lyman adjustable tang sight marked “M 84” is fitted on stock at top of grip. Case hardened action has uniquely filed fluted fences. SN is stamped on water table. Bar locks with tall serpentine flat-faced hammers are border engraved with some fine scroll and tendrils. Colt’s patent “PT FA MFG. CO” is on each lockplate. There is geometric engraving on bottom of action and on blued trigger plate, which extends through to grip. SN is at grip. Border engraved steel trigger guard attaches to trigger plate with screw at front of grip. Blued top lever has matching engraving. Very fine, nicely marbled European walnut semi-pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8″ over steel buttplate with widow’s peak. Sling loop is fitted on toe line along with vacant silver oval. Well cut flat top 20 LPI point pattern checkering has mullered borders. Matching splinter forend has inset ebony tip with Colt style Deeley type release. SN is on iron. Drop at heel: 2-7/16″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 9 lbs.8 oz. LOP 14-1/8″. PROVENANCE: Robert Howard Estate Collection. Acquired from Herb Glass, and listed in his catalog of April 1986. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain 80 – 90% orig brown with very fine definition to pattern, thinning at normal carry points around forend, silvering on sharp edges. Action retains 40 – 50% orig case hardening color, remainder a pleasing silver. Lockplates retain 60 – 70% color, silvering at fronts and slightly on tails. Hammers retain most of their case color. Front portion of trigger plate retains most of its blue with traces at tail of grip. Top lever retains 80 – 90% of its blue, thinning slightly, and silvered on thumbpiece. Buttplate is a mottled silver. Stocks retain most of their orig oil finish with numerous marks and minor dents commensurate with the condition of the remainder of the rifle. Checkering is slightly worn. Right front of forend is missing a few slivers in the thinnest portion of wood. Bores are excellent with a few minor pits, mostly in right bbl, but for the most part, sharp, bright, and shiny. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are crisp. Overall an excellent unabused specimen of this American classic, inspired by Caldwell Colt’s interest in the British made doubles he saw being used by visiting sportsmen. Flayderman states that “the major share of double rifle production is believed to have been for Caldwell and his friends.” 4-45446 MGM26 (25,000-45,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 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
	1584	$41,400.00	EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AND VERY FINE COLT DOUBLE RIFLE. SN 32. Cal. 45-70. Based on the Colt 1878 model double shotgun action, it is estimated that there are fewer than 40 examples of this pinnacle of Colt’s production of long guns ever produced. There are one or 2 known examples numbered in the serial range of the 1878 shotgun but most are in their own range from no. 1 to approximately 35. This particular example has nicely browned 28″ laminated Damascus bbls with full length flat rib engraved “Colt’s PT F. A. Mfg. Co. Hartford. CT. U. S. A.” toward breech end. German silver blade front sight is dovetailed through ovoid base. SN is on bbl flats, and a wide sling loop is screwed to bottom rib. It is interesting to note that the right bbl has right hand twist rifling, where as the left bbl has left hand twist. Original rear bbl sight has been removed with well fitted flush blank set into dovetail. Lyman adjustable tang sight marked “M 84” is fitted on stock at top of grip. Case hardened action has uniquely filed fluted fences. SN is stamped on water table. Bar locks with tall serpentine flat-faced hammers are border engraved with some fine scroll and tendrils. Colt’s patent “PT FA MFG. CO” is on each lockplate. There is geometric engraving on bottom of action and on blued trigger plate, which extends through to grip. SN is at grip. Border engraved steel trigger guard attaches to trigger plate with screw at front of grip. Blued top lever has matching engraving. Very fine, nicely marbled European walnut semi-pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8″ over steel buttplate with widow’s peak. Sling loop is fitted on toe line along with vacant silver oval. Well cut flat top 20 LPI point pattern checkering has mullered borders. Matching splinter forend has inset ebony tip with Colt style Deeley type release. SN is on iron. Drop at heel: 2-7/16″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 9 lbs.8 oz. LOP 14-1/8″. PROVENANCE: Robert Howard Estate Collection. Acquired from Herb Glass, and listed in his catalog of April 1986. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain 80 – 90% orig brown with very fine definition to pattern, thinning at normal carry points around forend, silvering on sharp edges. Action retains 40 – 50% orig case hardening color, remainder a pleasing silver. Lockplates retain 60 – 70% color, silvering at fronts and slightly on tails. Hammers retain most of their case color. Front portion of trigger plate retains most of its blue with traces at tail of grip. Top lever retains 80 – 90% of its blue, thinning slightly, and silvered on thumbpiece. Buttplate is a mottled silver. Stocks retain most of their orig oil finish with numerous marks and minor dents commensurate with the condition of the remainder of the rifle. Checkering is slightly worn. Right front of forend is missing a few slivers in the thinnest portion of wood. Bores are excellent with a few minor pits, mostly in right bbl, but for the most part, sharp, bright, and shiny. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are crisp. Overall an excellent unabused specimen of this American classic, inspired by Caldwell Colt’s interest in the British made doubles he saw being used by visiting sportsmen. Flayderman states that “the major share of double rifle production is believed to have been for Caldwell and his friends.” 4-45446 MGM26 (25,000-45,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 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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