Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is honored to offer this MUSEUM-GRADE PROTOTYPE shotgun today for auction; this is the Colt / J.P. Sauer & Sohn "Royal Grade"!
An irreplaceable piece of firearms history! One of only two 20 Gauge Royal Grade prototypes ever produced in West Germany, acquired directly from former Colt Vice President John B.G. Fiedler! Featured on "The Rampant Colt" (Summer 2026), this masterwork features 28 1/2" Krupp-Spezial Laufstahl barrels (3" chambers / SKT/SKT chokes), coin-finished scalloped receiver with fine Arabesque scroll engraving, single selective gold trigger, automatic ejectors, Greener crossbolt, exhibition European walnut stocks, original Sauer recoil pad, custom fitted case, and full provenance documentation!
THIS EXAMPLE REPRESENTS AN EXTRAORDINARILY RARE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE ONE OF THE MOST HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT AND IMPORTANT COLT SHOTGUNS EVER PRODUCED!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt / J.P. Sauer & Sohn (Eckernförde, West Germany)
Model: Colt / Sauer "Royal Grade" Prototype Side-by-Side Shotgun
Serial: BB4562 (Matching Frame, Water Table, Barrel Lugs, and Forend Hardware)
Date of Manufacture: Circa 1970 (Internal Factory Evaluation Program)
Gauge: 20 Gauge / 3" Chambers (20/76)
Chokes: Skeet / Skeet (Factory Choked & Stamped SKT / SKT)
Finish: Satin Coin-Finished Receiver w/ Deep High-Gloss Blued Barrels & Gold-Plated Trigger
Barrel Length: 28 1/2" (72cm) Krupp-Spezial Laufstahl Fluid Steel Barrels w/ Engine-Turned Concave Solid Rib
Optics/Sights: Brass Front Bead Sight Post
Stock/Grips: Deluxe Exhibition European Walnut Pistol Grip Buttstock & Beavertail Forend w/ 22 LPI Hand Checkering, Horn Style Grip Cap, Gold Accent Inlay Oval, and Original Sauer Ventilated Rubber Recoil Pad
Action: Anson & Deeley Scalloped Boxlock Action w/ Greener Crossbolt Lockup, Dual Underlugs, Automatic Ejectors, Side Cocking Indicators, Top Tang Safety, and Single Selective Trigger
Markings: Right barrel roll-stamped "COLTS PT. FA. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. USA" over "ROYAL KRUPP-SPEZIAL LAUFSTAHL". Left barrel roll-stamped "J.P. SAUER & SOHN / GMBH GEGRÜNDET 1751" and "MADE IN WEST GERMANY / 20/76 3"". Barrel flats stamped with West German Eagle proof marks from Kiel and Ulm alongside "SKT/SKT" and "20/76 3"". Frame water table, barrel lug, forend iron, and wood channel stamped with matching serial "BB 4562". Receiver belly engraved with "ORIGINAL SAUER" crest surrounded by fine Arabesque scrollwork.
HISTORICAL BREAKTHROUGH & PROVENANCE:
In the early 1970s, Colt Firearms sought to establish a premier presence in the high-grade American sporting shotgun market by partnering with J.P. Sauer & Sohn of Eckernförde, West Germany. While their collaboration produced famous bolt-action rifles and drillings, Colt simultaneously explored an ultra-exclusive "Royal Grade" side-by-side shotgun program. Ultimately, due to high manufacturing costs and niche market considerations, Colt opted not to proceed into full commercial production. Only a handful of evaluation prototypes were ever hand-built by Sauer's master gunsmiths before the project was quietly shelved. Serial number BB 4562 is one of those legendary, mythical "lost" prototypes. Retained within Colt's internal development program, this exact shotgun—alongside its sister prototypes—was acquired directly by John B.G. Fiedler, the retired Vice President of Colt's International Sales. Fiedler preserved these historic arms for decades before consigning them to Rock Island Auction Company, where they passed into private hands. This exact 20 Gauge prototype served as the cover story and primary photographic reference piece for Les Armstrong's major research article, "The Lost Royal: Colt's Forgotten Side-by-Side Prototype," published in the Summer 2026 edition of The Rampant Colt (Vol. 46, No. 2, Pages 48–53). As confirmed in the publication and accompanying Vice President provenance letters, this gun is one of only two 20 Gauge Royal Grade prototypes known to exist worldwide.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Inspecting this Colt / Sauer prototype reveals a level of fit, finish, and mechanical execution that rivals the finest English and Continental best-quality doubles. Built on an Anson & Deeley scalloped boxlock action, the frame features a robust Greener crossbolt lockup, dual underlugs, automatic ejectors, and gold-accented side cocking indicators. The coin-finished receiver is beautifully adorned with hand-cut Arabesque scroll engraving and starburst rosettes, housing a crisp gold-plated single selective trigger. Its 28 1/2-inch barrels are struck from premium Krupp-Spezial fluid steel, choked Skeet/Skeet, and fitted with a glare-free concave rib. Stocked in exhibition-grade European walnut with 22 LPI hand checkering and a beavertail forend, it remains in factory-pristine condition. What truly sets investment firearms apart on the global stage is absolute rarity, historical significance, and unassailable documentation. As a 1 of 2 known 20 Gauge prototype with complete Vice President provenance, published reference coverage, and pristine museum condition, serial number BB 4562 represents an irreplaceable Holy Grail for the advanced Colt or double gun collector.
Contents:
Model: Colt / Sauer "Royal Grade" Prototype Side-by-Side Shotgun
Serial: BB4562 (Matching Frame, Water Table, Barrel Lugs, and Forend Hardware)
Date of Manufacture: Circa 1970 (Internal Factory Evaluation Program)
Gauge: 20 Gauge / 3" Chambers (20/76)
Chokes: Skeet / Skeet (Factory Choked & Stamped SKT / SKT)
Finish: Satin Coin-Finished Receiver w/ Deep High-Gloss Blued Barrels & Gold-Plated Trigger
Barrel Length: 28 1/2" (72cm) Krupp-Spezial Laufstahl Fluid Steel Barrels w/ Engine-Turned Concave Solid Rib
Optics/Sights: Brass Front Bead Sight Post
Stock/Grips: Deluxe Exhibition European Walnut Pistol Grip Buttstock & Beavertail Forend w/ 22 LPI Hand Checkering, Horn Style Grip Cap, Gold Accent Inlay Oval, and Original Sauer Ventilated Rubber Recoil Pad
Action: Anson & Deeley Scalloped Boxlock Action w/ Greener Crossbolt Lockup, Dual Underlugs, Automatic Ejectors, Side Cocking Indicators, Top Tang Safety, and Single Selective Trigger
Markings: Right barrel roll-stamped "COLTS PT. FA. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. USA" over "ROYAL KRUPP-SPEZIAL LAUFSTAHL". Left barrel roll-stamped "J.P. SAUER & SOHN / GMBH GEGRÜNDET 1751" and "MADE IN WEST GERMANY / 20/76 3"". Barrel flats stamped with West German Eagle proof marks from Kiel and Ulm alongside "SKT/SKT" and "20/76 3"". Frame water table, barrel lug, forend iron, and wood channel stamped with matching serial "BB 4562". Receiver belly engraved with "ORIGINAL SAUER" crest surrounded by fine Arabesque scrollwork.
HISTORICAL BREAKTHROUGH & PROVENANCE:
In the early 1970s, Colt Firearms sought to establish a premier presence in the high-grade American sporting shotgun market by partnering with J.P. Sauer & Sohn of Eckernförde, West Germany. While their collaboration produced famous bolt-action rifles and drillings, Colt simultaneously explored an ultra-exclusive "Royal Grade" side-by-side shotgun program. Ultimately, due to high manufacturing costs and niche market considerations, Colt opted not to proceed into full commercial production. Only a handful of evaluation prototypes were ever hand-built by Sauer's master gunsmiths before the project was quietly shelved. Serial number BB 4562 is one of those legendary, mythical "lost" prototypes. Retained within Colt's internal development program, this exact shotgun—alongside its sister prototypes—was acquired directly by John B.G. Fiedler, the retired Vice President of Colt's International Sales. Fiedler preserved these historic arms for decades before consigning them to Rock Island Auction Company, where they passed into private hands. This exact 20 Gauge prototype served as the cover story and primary photographic reference piece for Les Armstrong's major research article, "The Lost Royal: Colt's Forgotten Side-by-Side Prototype," published in the Summer 2026 edition of The Rampant Colt (Vol. 46, No. 2, Pages 48–53). As confirmed in the publication and accompanying Vice President provenance letters, this gun is one of only two 20 Gauge Royal Grade prototypes known to exist worldwide.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Inspecting this Colt / Sauer prototype reveals a level of fit, finish, and mechanical execution that rivals the finest English and Continental best-quality doubles. Built on an Anson & Deeley scalloped boxlock action, the frame features a robust Greener crossbolt lockup, dual underlugs, automatic ejectors, and gold-accented side cocking indicators. The coin-finished receiver is beautifully adorned with hand-cut Arabesque scroll engraving and starburst rosettes, housing a crisp gold-plated single selective trigger. Its 28 1/2-inch barrels are struck from premium Krupp-Spezial fluid steel, choked Skeet/Skeet, and fitted with a glare-free concave rib. Stocked in exhibition-grade European walnut with 22 LPI hand checkering and a beavertail forend, it remains in factory-pristine condition. What truly sets investment firearms apart on the global stage is absolute rarity, historical significance, and unassailable documentation. As a 1 of 2 known 20 Gauge prototype with complete Vice President provenance, published reference coverage, and pristine museum condition, serial number BB 4562 represents an irreplaceable Holy Grail for the advanced Colt or double gun collector.
Contents:
This historic offering includes the Original Colt / J.P. Sauer & Sohn "Royal Grade" Prototype 20 Gauge Side-by-Side Shotgun (Serial #BB 4562), Fitted Canvas & Leather Flight Case w/ Brass Combination Locks, Original Copy of "The Rampant Colt" Magazine (Vol. 46, No. 2, Summer 2026), Signed Provenance Letters from Former Colt Vice President John B.G. Fiedler, Research Summary Sheets, and Published Reference Article Copies.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1202986237 |
BidPrice: |
14999.99 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-09-20 22:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
0 |
