Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Colt Model 1878 double barrel hammer shotgun in 10 gauge, manufactured in 1882 and fitted with 32" side by side steel barrels. Serial number 12046 appears on the barrel assembly, action water table, and fore stock iron. The expected serial number on the trigger guard or tang area is no longer legible due to wear. The shotgun retains substantial original blue on the barrels, well preserved case coloring on the action and lock plates, strong wood, and very good bright bores.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Colt Model 1878 was a substantial exposed hammer sporting shotgun produced during the late 19th century in a variety of gauges and barrel lengths. This example is chambered in 10 gauge and carries 32" steel barrels, giving it the large frame proportions typical of heavy sporting shotguns of the period.

The serial number:

12046

is stamped on the underside of the barrel assembly, on the top of the action water table within the hinge area, and on the metal fitting of the fore stock. These visible serialized components agree. A serial number would also normally be expected on the trigger guard or adjoining tang area, but that location is worn to the point that no number can presently be read.

Both lock plates are marked in ornate script:

Colt's Pt. F. A. Mfg. Co.

The top strap is marked:

COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U. S. A.

The underside of the barrels carries additional factory markings including:

10

for the gauge, along with a conjoined CP Colt proof and multiple G stamps.

The shotgun remains in very good mechanical condition during manual inspection. The top lever moves correctly and opens the action as intended, while the extractor rises to present the shells for removal. Removing the fore stock allows the barrel assembly to separate correctly from the receiver.

Both locks function correctly. As a rebounding hammer shotgun, the locks do not use a conventional half cock position in normal operation. When fully lowered, the hammers rebound away from the firing pins rather than resting directly against them.

The 32" barrels retain a substantial amount of original blue, with only light wear and age related oxidation. The action and lock plates retain a notable amount of their original case coloring. The exterior metalwork is generally very well preserved with only scattered age and handling wear.

The bores are in very good condition, approximately 8 to 9 out of 10 by visual assessment. They are largely bright and shiny with only light scattered oxidation and minor wear. There are no major areas of heavy fouling or significant pitting noted. These observations describe only the present bore condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the shotgun is safe to load or fire.

The walnut stocks are especially attractive. The butt stock has a sharply checkered wrist with strong surviving definition, while the fore stock carries matching checkering that also remains crisp. The wood overall has a pleasing aged color and shows only light service wear, with no major cracks, repairs, dents, or missing sections noted.

The butt is fitted with a ribbed hard rubber butt plate in very good condition, with no major chips or missing pieces. The fore stock also retains its decorative inlaid ebony diamond at the front.

With its 1882 production date, serial number 12046 repeated on the visible serialized components, 10 gauge chambering, 32" barrels, substantial original blue and case coloring, very good bores, crisp checkering, original hard rubber butt plate, and ebony fore stock inlay, this is a strong example of the Colt Model 1878 hammer shotgun. The worn and unreadable trigger guard or tang serial location, light oxidation, minor bore wear, and general handling marks are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Colt sporting arms, antique shotgun, exposed hammer shotgun, 10 gauge, or advanced 19th century American firearms collection.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1882
Manufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company
Model: 1878 Hammer Shotgun
Serial No.: 12046
Caliber: 10 gauge / bore 
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 Inches with about 3" long Chambers
Overall Length: 48 3/4 Inches
Action type: Side Action Locks with External Hammers
Feed System: Top Break with Top Lever

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.