Colt Shotgun

[james47]

Hi I'm fairly new to the Colt Form, just been hanging around trying to pick up a little general knowledge.
My question is that a friend of mine claims to have assess to a
Colt shotgun, through a recent death in the family. I have no details, just never heard of a Colt shotgun. would someone mind posting just a few details. Thanks

[Mike Armstrong]

You need to get more details from your friend. Doublebarreled SxS Colt shotguns were manufactured in the US (some may have had barrels made in Belgium-- fairly common for American doubles at that time). They were made in both hammer and hammerless models and can be very valuable depending on model and condition. In the 20th century, Colt marketed some pump shotguns (and if I remember correctly some semi-autos) that were made in France or at least the main assemblies were made in France. Less interest in these but certainly somebody collects them. You need to find out more about this Colt shotgun, post the guage, action type, stocking, finish, barrel material and length, and any markings found on the reciever and barrel (and, if it's a double barrel, on the barrel flats and reciever "water table" where the reciever mates with the underside of the barrels--you need to remove the forend to see that area). And then describe the condition of the metal and wood. THEN some of the knowledgeable folks here can give you some answers worth having!

[james47]

Thank You. I'll post more info. as it becomes available ie. who inherits the shotgun, and if I will be able to examine it, although at the moment no one seems concerned (the family loss occured several years ago)

[Colt75]

Colt marketed some semi-auto shotguns in the 70s. These were manufactured by Franchi (in Italy I think) and are reasonably good quality firearms. I know they were manufactured in 12 guage and I have heeard rumors of 20 gauge. It is my uinderstanding (and I might be mistaken) the they had an alloy receiver and were recol operated design. Cabelas has one listed with the Mitchell, SD Gun Library if you want to see what one looks like. Google the Cabelas web site and go to their Gun Library.

[johnk568]

Howdy,

Colt made 2 sets of side x side, common known as Coach Guns. These had 30" barrels, that were cut down by stagecoach firms. The 1878 Colt, had hammers and the 1883, was hammerless. The barrels were Damascus, hammered, soldered and then coiled to form barrels. Old Gun Clubs in New England(NY,MASS.,CONN.,Long Island) used them in competition, skeet, trap, etc. These are rare birds, commanding a high price, depending on condition, engraving, etc. I happen to purchase one(1878) from a gentleman, who didn't want to fool around with the damascus barrels and Black Powder ammo, cheap. It was is extremely excellent condition, with minor engraving, and a butt plate marked "the Club Gun".
I got a Colt Factory letter($100.00) and described my gun perfectly along with this in the remarks section" This gun is a Club Gun, which is 1 of 141 made". That increased the value. It is still being used-I use it Cowboy Action Shooting, when the stage requires it. I use Black Powder Shotgun shells in it. If it's a sxs, please have the barrels checked(proofed), before it is fired.

I have heard that Colt might have made some modern Shotgun, but don't have any info on them. If you're the lucky relative, enjoy your treasure! scroll back to beginning-I post some pictures earlier in the long gun section under 1883(I think?)


Johnk568

[Mike Armstrong]

Colt75, you're right--the Colt-marked semi auto shotguns are just the Franchi M48, an alloy-recievered Browning-type recoil operated shotgun. Famous for kicking like the devil! They were made in 12 and 20 guage. The pumps were made by Manufrance, a large French gunmaker of the time. They were marketed under their own name, "Manufrance Rapide," by, I think, Interarms. They were also sold marked with the names of several US firms, Colt and Marlin among them. I believe they were offered in 12, 16, and 20 guage, but have only seen the 12 and 20. They work, as does the Franch auto.

Some details to add to the previous interesting post re Colt doubles--"Damascus steel" is welded together of smaller strips, rods, or stubs of steel or iron, not soldered.

Any Colt-marked double that is in good enough shape to even THINK of firing should be factory "lettered" as the previous poster has done (it might turn out to be quite valuable as his is--or a fake), and then examined by a gunsmith who specializes in antique double barrel shotguns--not just any gunsmith. Damascus and early fluid steel barrel should only be shot with low-pressure shells (not all black powder shells qualify) and the barrels need to be checked for pitting or cracks that might weaken them, as well as to whether they have sufficient remaining wall thickness to support the pressure of shooting. Many old doubles with new-appearing bores have been reamed or polished to get rid of pits. Sometimes that leaves the barrels 'way too thin in the crucial areas that are stressed in firing.

If you have a Colt or other old double, an excellent place to get info on it is the "Doublegun BBS," a forum on the website www.doublegunshop.com Lots of expertise and good fellowship there, as on Colt Forum.

[james47]

Well I found out that that the Colt shotgun does have hammers. The bad news is that the trail has gone cold, the death in the family was more than a "couple of years ago" and my friend has lost contact with the family. It was a son that is deceased he would be around 60 today, one parent is supposedly still alive and I would have to go through my friend for that contact. There's been a lot of water under the bridge.
I'm sorry I should have gotten more information before posting.

[smkummer]

Of all the Colt cartridge shotguns (1878 Hammer, 1883 hamerless, Colt drilling, Colt pump, Modern Colt double and Colt Auto), the 1878 Colt Hammer Gun was the most common with over 20K made. Specimens range from $300 to close to 4K in price dempending on condition, finish etc.. If you look at the auction sites, several will be listed at a variety of price ranges. These guns if sound can be fired with either blackpowder "modern" loads or smokeless low pressure shotshells. I shoot both my 1878 10 gauge and 1883 12 gauge with smokeless low pressure ammo.