Colt SxS 1878 Grade 2

[Bill Kekatos]

Good morning gentlemen.
I was the high bidder on this Colt 1878. This is my first Colt. Does anyone here collect or shot Colts? What information or advise can you give me about it?
What do you think its value is? It was described as all original & untouched. Barrel thickness is .033".
Thank you. BillK

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[Mike Franzen]

Appears to be in really nice condition. I would say you did good to get it. I'm no expert but I see these go for around $2500 without a case. Others on here will know better

[charlie cleveland]

nice find for sure....charlie

[edgarspencer]

Ten or Twelve?

[Bill Kekatos]

It is a 12 gauge, 2.5" chambers, 30" barrels, 7lb.12oz, Serial #14968.
Am I correct to assume that the barrels appear to be twist steel?
Would you recommend shooting it and with what type of loads?

[charlie cleveland]

rst lite loads will be good for the old colt if barrels are in good shape....charlie

[Dean Romig]

I think it is reasonable to say that if you were high bidder on this gun at open public auction, then it is worth what you paid for it.

I don't mean to be flippant, but if someone else thought it was worth more than the winning bid... he would have placed a higher bid.

It's a very nice looking gun and you should be proud of it and shoot it often.
Should make a find waterfowl gun over decoys and a good turkey gun for shots under 35 yards.

[Bill Kekatos]

Do you know what type of pressures the RST shells produce? I reviewed their website, but did not see any pressure publishing.

[Dean Romig]

If you telephone them they will tell you the pressures.

[John Mazza]

Per conversations with RST a few years back, their 12 gauge, 2.5" lead loads (not the NiceShot) have pressures ranging from 4300 psi (3/4 oz. Falcon Ultra Lite) up to 6600 psi
(1-1/16 oz. PaperLite w/ roll crimp). Please check with them personally, as these were verbally conveyed, and if they needed to change any components, the new pressures might vary slightly. Bottom line - if your gun checks out OK, these shells are perfect for it !

BTW: Nice Colt !

[Dave Noreen]

Nice example of the early style Model 1878.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/Ansleyone/Colts%20Patent%20Fire%20Arms%20Mfg%20Co/Model%201878%20Early%20Sytyle%201884%20E.C.%20Meac hum%20Arms%20Co.%20catalogue_zpsrq9csz9s.jpeg

Right around the same time Colt introduced their Model 1883 Hammerless Double, they updated the Model 1878 with a dolls-head rib extension, solid head plungers and an improved check hook.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/Ansleyone/Colts%20Patent%20Fire%20Arms%20Mfg%20Co/Model%201878%20New%20Style%201884%20E.C.%20Mechum% 20Arms%20Co.%20catalogue_zpscebrln7o.jpeg

[William Davis]

Friend of mine is a wide ranging collector of SxSs must have over a hundred doubt if he owns over two or three of the same maker.

He always says the Colt was the finest American shotgun of its day. Not sure I agree but one he owns that I have handled is a fine one indeed.

William