Lot 16

Kittredge Shipped Special Order Colt 1878 Double Barrel Shotgun

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Kittredge Shipped Special Order Colt 1878 Double Barrel Shotgun

Estimate: $9,000 - $13,000

Starting Bid: $8,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Early Production B. Kittredge & Co. Shipped Special Order Factory Deluxe Panel Scene Engraved Colt Model 1878 Double Barrel Hammer Shotgun with Case and Factory Letter The Colt Model 1878 was one of the first high quality double barrel shotguns manufactured in American and was the most expensive firearm in Colt's line from 1878 until 1883 when the hammerless Model 1883 shotgun was added. Around 22,690 were manufactured. The 1890 catalog listed options from $50 to $85. From the beginning these expensive shotguns had to compete with cheaper imports. Benjamin Kittredge was one of the key "Colt allies" and major distributors in the late 19th century and was responsible for many of the famous nicknames for Colt's revolvers. Many firearms shipped to Kittredge in Cincinnati were forwarded on along the Ohio River or railways and reached far western destinations. Advertisement from B. Kittredge & Co. in The Cincinnati Enquirer in 1879 stated: "New Shot-Gun, Breech Loader. The Colt Arms Co.'s are accurately made, each part on one side is an exact counterpart of the other side; this is not true of the best imported guns. The barrels are, by a process never before used, fastened with Hard Solder which makes it absolutely impossible to part by continuous shooting. All gunsmiths and sportsmen of experience know how liable the barrels of English guns are to prove defective as they are soldered with Soft Solder - i e., lead with alloy of tin. The Colt Guns are sold on trial and approval." The factory letter lists this shotgun in 12 gauge with special order 31 inch barrels, blue finish, wood stocks, and factory engraving and indicates it was shipped to B. Kittredge & Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 19, 1879, and was the sole gun of this type in the shipment. The shotgun was built with browned Damascus steel barrels featuring a single brass bead sight on the smooth concave solid rib which is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.”, a single band of border engraving at the breech, 2 5/8 inches with a single extractor, and "3D" marked on the bottom of each tube. The barrels are fitted to the casehardened hammer fired sidelock action which displays highly attractive deluxe factory engraving consisting of Germanic scroll work on the fences and surrounding the “COLT’S PT. F.A MFG. CO.” marking on either lockplate along with fine game scenes before continuing onto the toplever, both tangs, the rebounding hammers, and the trigger guard which protects the double triggers. The engraving was likely executed by Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht and is about Colt's highest class engraving. The scenes show a fox snatching at a flushing game bird on the left lockplate, a setter pointing an unseen bird on the right lockplate, a bird in flight on the underside in a shield shaped panel, and a standing partridge on the trigger guard in an oval scene. The gun is fitted with a handsomely figured and mullered border multi-point checkered splinter forend with horn tip inlay and engraved casehardened iron and release as well as a round knob pistol grip stock with a blank silver stock oval and a scroll engraved steel buttplate. Matching serial numbers are marked on the forend iron, barrel lug, water table, and lower tang. It comes in a leather bound flat case with a cartridge belt, rare 25 round box of Winchester 12 gauge "Repeater Paper Shot Shells" from the early 20th century, cleaning rods, tow, and a knife sheath. The remarks in the factory state: "Records do not indicate case being shipped originally. Evidently this case was bought from dealer." The case lid is "J. F. BALDWIN/CINCINNATI. O." There was a J. F. Baldwin working as an attorney in Cincinnati at the time who was also very active in local civic life. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both measure .746 inches; choke constriction .027/.016 inches; minimum wall thickness .030/.029 inches; 1 15/16 inch drop at comb; 3 1/8 inch drop at heel; 14 3/16 inch length of pull; weight 8 lbs. 1 oz.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1878

BBL: 31 inch solid rib

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 12

Finish: brown/casehardened/blue

Serial Number199

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: A Stunning Old Time Collection from Central Illinois
  • Condition: Fine overall with 50% plus original brown finish and attractive Damascus patterns on the barrels which are slightly loose on the face, 25% original blue finish on the trigger guard, strong original case colors in the protected areas with the balance a fine silver patina, a few tiny areas of oxidation, a chip at the front left of the forend along the edge, some dings and scratches on the wood, and overall well-defined checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically functions. The case and accessories are good with moderate age and storage related wear. You will have to look a long time in order to find another Colt shotgun with this level of deluxe engraving!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000