Colt Model 1883 Double Barrel shotgun with double triggers, factory engraving and checkered, fancy grain walnut stock and forearm. This shotgun is accompanied by a Colt factory letter that describes the features as: 10 gauge, thirty-inch barrel, blue finish and $10.00 engraving. The letter states that this shotgun was shipped from Colt's to W.C. Hodgkins of New York, New York, on December 9, 1885. The Damascus finish barrels are blue and feature a raised solid rib and brass bead. The factory legend "COLT'S. PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A." is die-stamped in a single line on the top of the rib. The receiver, trigger guard and forearm latch are color casehardened. The side plates, bottom of the receiver and trigger guard are engraved with highly detailed game scenes. Delicate English style scrollwork with double-line borders covers the balance of the receiver, upper and lower tang and trigger guard. The top of the receiver is engraved "PATENTED, AUG. 22, 1882/SEP. 19, 1882" on either side of the barrel latch. "SAFE" is carved in relief above the safety selector switch. The serial number, "887" is engraved on the lower tang and stamped on the lower right barrel and inside of the forearm latch. The serial number is written in pencil on the inside of the forearm. All of the visible serial numbers match. The stock and forearm are highly figured, fancy grain walnut with fine checkered panels. The forearm has a horn tip and the pistol grip has a black, hard rubber grip cap. The stock is fitted with a casehardened steel skeleton buttplate with fine checkered panels. The stock is inlaid with a German silver oval escutcheon engraved with the initials "W.T.S." The Model 1883 Double Barrel shotgun is considered to be one of the finest firearms ever manufactured by Colt. Only 7,366 of these fine shotguns were manufactured between 1883 and 1895. Surviving examples are scarce and very desirable.

Fine. Nearly one third of the fine Damascus finish is present on the double barrels. The case colors on the forearm latch, receiver, trigger guard and buttplate are muted with brighter colors in protected areas with 40% remaining. The delicate and flawlessly executed game scenes and scrollwork are crisp. All of the markings are sharp. The fancy grain walnut stock and forearm show moderate handling wear on contact points. The checkered panels are crisp and the sides of the stock have a few scattered and very minor handling marks. The action appears to be in excellent condition. This is an excellent example of one of the finest Colt firearms.