Manufactured in 1880, this is one of the approximately 22,690 Model 1878 shotguns manufactured by Colt between 1878 and 1889. The barrels are a brown Damascus pattern with a single brass bead sight on the smooth concave solid rib which is marked with the one-line address near the breech. Choked open/open, 2 3/4 inch chambers and extractor. The trigger guard, lower tang, trigger guard plate and break lever are blue and the remaining parts casehardened. The side plates are engraved "Colt's Pt. F. A. Mfg. Co." and the serial number is engraved on the lower tang and the matching serial number is marked on the barrel flat, water table and inside of the forearm hardware. Mounted with a multi-point checkered walnut forearm with an ebony forend insert and round knob pistol grip stock with a smooth iron buttplate. Length of pull is 13 1/2 inches. Includes a factory letter confirming serial number, caliber, finish and date of shipment.

Good, with traces of original blue finish, primarily in protected areas such as the rear face of the fences. The balance has aged to a mostly even brown patina. The barrels have small superficial dings scattered throughout with well defined Damascus patterning. The wood is fair with scattered handling marks, attractive grain and heavily worn checkering on the forend. Some smoothing has occurred on the forearm and part of the forearm tip insert is absent. Mechanically very good but is slightly loose.