Colt Model 1878 Double-Barrel hammer Shotgun with factory letter that states that it was shipped to Schoverling, Daly & gales in New York, New York on May 1, 1883. The letter describes the shotgun as a "Grade 2", 12 gauge, with 30-inch barrels, blue finish and "wood" stock. The shotgun has Damascus barrels with a center rib and brass sight bead. The receiver, hammers, lock plates, trigger guard, tang and iron buttplate have a color casehardened finish. The shotgun has the scarce straight "English Pattern" walnut stock and forearm with horn inlay on the tip. The side plates are engraved: "Colt's Pt. F. A. Mfg. Co." with fancy letters. The serial number "13749" is engraved on the lower tang. The shotgun has a plain finish with no special order engraving. The Colt Model 1878 Double-Barrel Hammer Shotgun was the highest priced item in the Colt line and is considered to be the finest quality American production shotgun. Less than 23,000 (22,683) Model 1878 Shotguns were manufactured by Colt between 1878 and 1889.

Very fine. The shotgun is completely original and retains 60% of the original finish. The blue Damascus finish on the barrel has aged to a very attractive brown patina. The casehardened finish on the contact points on the receiver, trigger guard and tang has silvered; the hammers, lock plates and breech lever retain most of the original fiery case colors. The buttplate has a mottled silver, gray patina. The stock and forearm are in very good overall condition with moderate handling wear. The stock retains most of the original varnish finish and the forearm shows more wear. The bores are bright and the interior of the receiver is free form flash pitting or firing wear. This is a very good example of a scarce and desirable Colt Model 1878 Double-Barrel Hammer Shotgun.