Built with blued Damascus steel barrels featuring a single bead sight on the matted concave solid rib which bears the Colt address, dual engraved lines at the breech, and chambers measured 2 3/4 inches with a single extractor. The barrels are fitted to the casehardened boxlock action which displays light border engraving which continues onto the triggerguard, toplever, and both tangs as well as the stylized "PATENTED" marking on the underside. The gun features double triggers and a tang mounted automatic safety. The gun is fitted with a highly attractive well-figured and multi-point checkered splinter forend with matching engraved fittings and ebony tip inlay as well as a pistol grip stock with light remnants of initials in the silver oval and Colt hard rubber buttplate. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration including the gauge, barrel length, blue finish, special oil finished wood stock, concave matted rib, and grade when it was shipped on September 18, 1891, to Hartley & Graham of New York, NY. This exceptional Model 1883 is pictured and described on pages 448 and 449 of "The Art of the Gun: Magnificent Colts Volume Two" by R. L. Wilson and Robert M. Lee. Also stated on these pages is that, while serial numbers go to 8366, it is believed total production was only around 7,366 as nearly 1,000 serial numbers were skipped over between 3057 and 4056, in an effort to make sales numbers look stronger than they actually were, making this quite a scarce model. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .728/.727 inches; choke constriction .022/.022 inches; minimum wall thickness .031/.035 inches; 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 3 1/8 inch drop at heel; 14 3/8 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 11 oz. Provenance: The Robert M. Lee Collection

Very fine, retaining 95% original Damascus brown twist/patterned finish on the barrels, and 60% original case colors on the action with the balance an attractive grey patina. The triggerguard retains 75% bright original high polish blue. The wood is very fine with some dings and scratches and mostly sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent.