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99% being converted. All were chambered in the early Colt 38 Auto Rimless cartridge which proved to be very weak in stopping power to which the Government eventually replaced all of them with the later Colt Model 1905 in the man stopping “45 ACP” cartridge which was the forerunner of the Colt Model 1911. These pistols were shipped in five lots all in 1900 to the U.S. Government General Storekeeper, Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York. As noted this example was shipped in the very last shipment of 50 pistols. The right side of the frame is marked with Colt factory serial number, and the Navy serial number “USN 206” on the left side. The left side of the slide has the two-line, two-block markings of: “BROWNING’S PATENT/PAT’D APRIL 20.1897” followed by “COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO/HARTFORD. CONN. U.S.A.”. The right side is marked: “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. A small circled Rampant Colt is stamped on the left side behind the slide serrations. A small Navy trident inspection mark is stamped on the right side of the trigger guard bow, with the Colt proof mark on the left side that consists of a capital letter “B” inside a small triangle, as used by Navy Lt. Charles A. Brand. The magazine is correctly nickel plated with the floor plate correctly stamped “PAT’D SEPT. 9. 1884”.
LOT 411
Extraordinary Documented U.S. Navy Contract
Colt Model 1900 ‘Sight Safety’ Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Factory Letter - Serial no. 1206, 38
Colt auto cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. This is an exceptional, as issued example of
the very desirable, early production Colt Model
1900 U.S. Navy contract semi-automatic pistol with
the sight safety rear sight. This beautiful pistol
comes with a Colt factory letter dated August 2016
that verifies its exact current configuration, listing
it as being shipped to the Brooklyn Navy Yard on
22 Nov 1900 in a shipment of 50 pistols. This pistol is also discussed/listed on page 39-41 of the book: “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920” by Scott Meadows. These pistols are very rare and highly collectable as they were the very first original US. Navy contract, semi-automatic pistol with approximately 250 procured. These pistols used a very unique rear sight/hammer block safety when engaged. The metal parts feature beautiful Colt high polish commercial blue finish with niter blued finish on the trigger and stock screws and color casehardened finish on the sight safety and hammer. They were all fitted with smooth dark walnut grips with brass escutcheons. Original examples in unaltered condition are extremely rare as the rear sight/hammer safety design was completely converted/changed to a “fixed rear sight” design with