VERY EARLY COLT MODEL 1878 HAMMER GUN “FANCY” GRADE WITH CASE.

VERY EARLY COLT MODEL 1878 HAMMER GUN “FANCY” GRADE WITH CASE. SN 210. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 31″ Very unusual pattern laminated/ Damascus bbls have broad concave rib engraved “Colt’s PT. F. A. Mfg. Co. Hartford Ct. U. S. A.” Rear lump is stamped with SN and “k”. Bottoms of bbls are stamped “4 D”. Typical Colt top lever action with rebounding locks and nicely filed high spur hammers, is engraved with well cut scroll with floral and shell highlights surrounding vignettes of game birds and animals. Fox and flushing grouse (?) are on left lockplate; pointing dog and turkey (?) on right; rabbit nestled into meadow on trigger plate and a crane on trigger guard bow. Bottom of each lockplate is engraved “Colt’s PT. F. A. Mfg. Co.” on raised scrolled tablet. Dark, lightly marbled and slightly figured European walnut semi-pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8″ over engraved steel buttplate. 18 LPI checkering has scalloped pattern at grip and point pattern toward action. Matching splinter forend has ebony tip and typical Colt latch release. Bore diameter: left -.735, right -.738. Bore restrictions: left -.021, right -.013. Wall thickness: left -.026, right -.028. Drop at heel: 3-1/8″, drop at comb: 2″. Weight: 8 lbs. 3 oz. LOP 14-3/8″. Leather trunk case has brass corners and central brass medallion on lid. Interior is lined with green cloth and contains 3-pc BGI cleaning rod, Hawksley crystal oil bottle, and some BGI loading implements. PROVENANCE: Colt factory letter confirming all specifications of this gun, being shipped on Jan. 9, 1880, with $15.00 worth of factory engraving, and fancy grade. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain nearly all of a professional re-brown over light pitting and staining, but giving excellent definition to the very fine and unusual patterning. Action retains a considerable amount of orig case hardening color, silvered on fences, and around bottom, with areas of cleaned oxidation, some of it fairly heavy. Lockplates retain 70% of their orig case hardening color, which is quite vivid. Trigger plate and top lever retain most of their orig charcoal blue. Trigger guard retains a considerable amount of its blue, but is mostly silver with some brown stains. Stocks retain most of their orig oil finish with numerous marks and rubs from handling and use over the years. Checkering is slightly worn. Bores are good, mostly shiny, with scattered light pitting throughout. Action is loose. Locks are crisp. Rear trigger is repaired blade. Case leather is still brown, with many marks, rubs, and abrasions. Handle is intact, but tired. Straps are missing. Interior cloth is good with numerous stains, and some rubs. Partitions are loosening, but intact. Accessories are good. 4-42452 MGM180 (10,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011

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
	2057	$10,350.00	VERY EARLY COLT MODEL 1878 HAMMER GUN “FANCY” GRADE WITH CASE. SN 210. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 31″ Very unusual pattern laminated/ Damascus bbls have broad concave rib engraved “Colt’s PT. F. A. Mfg. Co. Hartford Ct. U. S. A.” Rear lump is stamped with SN and “k”. Bottoms of bbls are stamped “4 D”. Typical Colt top lever action with rebounding locks and nicely filed high spur hammers, is engraved with well cut scroll with floral and shell highlights surrounding vignettes of game birds and animals. Fox and flushing grouse (?) are on left lockplate; pointing dog and turkey (?) on right; rabbit nestled into meadow on trigger plate and a crane on trigger guard bow. Bottom of each lockplate is engraved “Colt’s PT. F. A. Mfg. Co.” on raised scrolled tablet. Dark, lightly marbled and slightly figured European walnut semi-pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8″ over engraved steel buttplate. 18 LPI checkering has scalloped pattern at grip and point pattern toward action. Matching splinter forend has ebony tip and typical Colt latch release. Bore diameter: left -.735, right -.738. Bore restrictions: left -.021, right -.013. Wall thickness: left -.026, right -.028. Drop at heel: 3-1/8″, drop at comb: 2″. Weight: 8 lbs. 3 oz. LOP 14-3/8″. Leather trunk case has brass corners and central brass medallion on lid. Interior is lined with green cloth and contains 3-pc BGI cleaning rod, Hawksley crystal oil bottle, and some BGI loading implements. PROVENANCE: Colt factory letter confirming all specifications of this gun, being shipped on Jan. 9, 1880, with $15.00 worth of factory engraving, and fancy grade. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain nearly all of a professional re-brown over light pitting and staining, but giving excellent definition to the very fine and unusual patterning. Action retains a considerable amount of orig case hardening color, silvered on fences, and around bottom, with areas of cleaned oxidation, some of it fairly heavy. Lockplates retain 70% of their orig case hardening color, which is quite vivid. Trigger plate and top lever retain most of their orig charcoal blue. Trigger guard retains a considerable amount of its blue, but is mostly silver with some brown stains. Stocks retain most of their orig oil finish with numerous marks and rubs from handling and use over the years. Checkering is slightly worn. Bores are good, mostly shiny, with scattered light pitting throughout. Action is loose. Locks are crisp. Rear trigger is repaired blade. Case leather is still brown, with many marks, rubs, and abrasions. Handle is intact, but tired. Straps are missing. Interior cloth is good with numerous stains, and some rubs. Partitions are loosening, but intact. Accessories are good. 4-42452 MGM180 (10,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011 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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