Page 315 - 4090-BOOK2

AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN COLT AUTOMATIC PISTOLS BY BADY
LOT 1422
Historically Significant and One-of-a-Kind Documented Colt Model 1900 “Sight Safety” Conversion Prototype Semi-Automatic Pistol - NSN, 38 Colt auto cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is a fully documented early Colt commercial prototype Model 1900 “sight safety” conversion pistol as manufactured circa 1900. This is a one- of-a-kind pistol and is shown and discussed on pages 105-107 in the early reference book “Colt Automatic Pistols” by Bady. This pistol was the prototype for all the later “converted” Colt Model 1900 sight safety pistols. As noted in the reference it was originally in the prestigious Sidney Aberman automatic pistol collection. The Colt Model 1900 is a very unique and historic pistol; however, the rear sight/safety mechanism left a lot to be desired, and it was highly criticized by both the military and civilian shooters. Obviously, this necessitated a redesign, which lead to this rare pistol being developed. The rear area of the slide still retains the original slot for the sight safety with an added longitudinal dovetail cut that was intended for the newly designed fixed rear sight. The original slot for the rear sight now has a small filler block installed over the brass/bronze firing pin and the rear sight cross-pin. It is now fitted with a later checkered round top hammer as shown in the reference. It also has the unique forward mounted slide serrations (like a 1902 model) with a large “1900” stamping/cartouche on the left grip panel with a large circled “1/R.W.W” inspector initials on the right side. There is no serial number on the frame giving further support to it being a prototype. This model is a very historically significant Colt pistol as it was their very first semi-automatic production pistol as designed by John M. Browning. Colt produced approximately 3,500 of these pistols from 1900 for commercial sales as well as for the Army and Navy contracts. The left side of the slide is marked with the early Colt two-line/two-block markings of “BROWNINGS PATENT’S”/PAT.’D APRIL 20.1897” followed by “COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A.” As noted, the front end of the slide has the early sixteen serrations with the circled Colt Rampant Colt logo on the left rear side. The right side of the slide is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” ahead of the ejection port. The slide is number “#2667”. The pistol has an all blued metal finish with a color casehardened rear sight and hammer. It is complete with a blued seven-round magazine that has an unmarked base plate.
CONDITION: Fine with 80% plus of the combination early high polish blue finish on slide and later polished blue on the frame. Showing only minor wear on the edges and high spots overall with the balance of the finish having browned out. The hammer retains 90% of its original case colors. The grips are very fine with a nice dark brown color on both sides, and clear distinct markings on both sides, along with light wear and handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A very unique and significant Colt Model 1900 sight safety prototype semi-automatic conversion pistol.
Provenance: The Sidney Aberman Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
313