This is a scarce Colt model 1883 12 gauge, double barrel hammerless shotgun. Our example, from the personal collection of the late William B. Ruger, is serial number 41 (first year of manufacture) and comes with a Colt factory letter.

Equipped with high grade Colt Damascus 28 1/2 inch fine pattern barrels (cut down from the original 30 inches). The concave top rib has a single bead and is marked "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.". The doll's head extension and double lug are intact and fine as are the extractors. Both the top and bottom rib are firmly in place. These Damascus barrels retain approximately 80% or more of their original blue color. The bores are very fine with no pitting, dings, dents or walnuts.

The stock, with a fine checkered pistol grip, is of beautifully grained walnut and utilizes a Rampant Colt logo hard rubber butt plate. There is a German silver oval inlaid on the bottom of the buttstock. The LOP is 14 1/4 inches to the front trigger. The Drop at Heel is 3 3/8 inches.

The checkered walnut splinter forend is tipped with an ebony insert. The checkering on both the forend and pistol grip is distinct and intact. The forend shows no sign of any scratches, dings or dents. The stock does have a faint vertical scratch that terminates in a small dent on the right side, midway between the receiver and the butt.

The case coloring of the receiver has faded to white.
The steel receiver is factory engraved.  In addition to some beautiful scrollwork that appears on the right, left, top and bottom of the receiver, there is a scene on the right side of the receiver which depicts a hunter who has dropped his shotgun after being startled by a pair of jack rabbits. On the left side of the receiver the scene depicts the same hunter who has been dragged into a tree by his pair of hunting dogs. On the bottom of the receiver are the patent dates as well as a bird in flight.
The trigger bow is also scroll engraved to match the receiver's scrolling.

Lockup is very tight. Equipped with double triggers and an automatic safety.
Serial numbers on the barrels and forend match the receiver.
Comes with a leather bound breakdown hard case that may or may not be not original to the gun.

Generally, Colt considered the Model 1883 shotgun as a custom order piece. This excellent condition Model 1883 shotgun was one of approximately 7,360 manufactured from 1883 to 1895. Fitted with high grade damascus barrels and with the general quality of materials and manufacture for the model 1883 being kept extremely high, this shotgun was one of the most expensive models offered during its short twelve year period of production. The high cost of manufacture contributed to why the gun never sold in large numbers commercially.

Mechanically sound and in working condition. However, as buyers are responsible for their own safety, we recommend that any and all used firearms should always be checked by a competent gunsmith before you consider firing them.

Designed to shoot 2 1/2 inch black powder loads ONLY!  NOT safe to shoot with smokeless

WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THIS FIREARM AS SHOOTABLE OR SAFE TO SHOOT!

This firearm qualifies as a pre-1898 antique-no FFL is required for transfer.