October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2018
Colt Model 1883's were almost always custom ordered and of very high quality. They are most often found with rudimentary engraving. Engraved examples can be considered rare. This gun, in exceptionally fine original condition, has two sets of 28" finely patterned Damascus barrels marked "COLTS PT F A MFG CO HARTFORD CT U S A" on matted game ribs which have dolls head extensions, and are choked (1) modified and modified, and set (2) cylinder and cylinder. Barrel flats are stamped with serial numbers; Splinters stamped with "12" and other letters and numbers. Amongst these are "1" and "2" which appear under "12", most likely in order to differentiate barrel sets. Boxlock action with automatic safety and blued double triggers is engraved with sprays of well cut scroll, scroll on sides of action surround 8 pointed stars around hammer pivots. Trigger plate is engraved "PATENTED" and with dates. Scroll is on blued trigger guard bow with serial number on tang. Finely marbled and well figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14" over original composition buttplate with rampant colt logo. Point pattern checkering is at grip with pointed flourishes into butt. Side panels are checkered and pierced by uncheckered arrowheads. Matching splinter forend with inlet ebony tip has Colt's version of a Deeley release, and is stamped "2" on interior of iron, but does fit both barrel sets. Gun is housed in black painted wooden box lined in tan linen cloth with three compartments in bottom for gun and barrels which are kept in their original cloth bags. Case contains old 3 piece cleaning rod. CONDITION:Exceptionally fine, original. Barrels retain approximately 85% original Damascus brown, with a few very light marks and scratches, most wear is on breech section of left barrels from normal carrying. Action retains approximately 70% original vivid case hardening color,balance a very bright silver on bottom and fences. Trigger guard retains most of its original blue. Trigger blades retain nearly all of their original blue. Stocks retain over 90% of their original french polish finish with numerous light dings and scratches, and areas on right side of butt with numerous small dents, from contact with barrels in case. Checkering is dark and lightly worn. There is a 1/2" chip in toe of buttplate. Forend is excellent with most original case color on latch. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Case is very fine, retaining most of its exterior paint, chipping along edges. Interior cloth is good. A very fine, as found, high condition example of this important Colt model. MGM 135
Choke
(!) Mod. & Mod. (2) Cyl. & Cyl.