These double rifles were manufactured between 1879 and 1885 by special order only and are among the rarest of all Colt firearms. Most of the approximately 35-40 Colt Double Rifles were apparently specially manufactured for friends of Caldwell Hart Colt, Samuel Colt's son. This rare example was formerly in the Robert Q. Sutherland Collection and is featured on pages 482 and 487 of "The Book of Colt Firearms" by R.L. Wilson. The round, side-by-side rifle barrels have a smooth center rib with a dovetailed nickel silver blade front sight, sliding notch rear sight, and "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U. S. A." in one line between the rear sight dove tail and the breech. "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO." is signed on each of the lock plates. "No. 18" is inscribed on the lower tang, and "18" is stamped on the left side of the watertable, right side on the bottom of the barrels, and on the inside of the forearm hardware. There are some light border and line engraving patterns. The checkered Schnabel tip forearm has a horn insert. The checkered round knob pistol grip buttstock has a blued steel buttplate. Provenance: The Robert Q. Sutherland Collection; Property of a Distinguished Southern Clergyman

Extremely fine with 75% light original brown finish and distinct Damascus patterns along the barrels, 40% original case colors, particularly vibrant colors on the hammers and rear half of the lock plates, 85% plus original blue finish, partial right over-pressure pin, and generally fairly minor overall wear. The refinished wood is fine and has crisp checkering, small slivers absent at the left edge of the forearm, and a few minor marks and scratches. Mechanically fine.