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LOT 338
Exceptionally Fine
Documented Colt Model 1905 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 4173, 45 ACP cal., 5
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in
1906, this is an exceptionally fine example of one of only 6,210 Colt “Military Model of 1905” pistols manufactured over a period of six years. These pistols are a very important evolutionary step in the development of Colt automatic pistols and the Model 1911 as they were
the first production Colt automatic chambered for the legendary .45 ACP cartridge. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration, grips not listed, as well as shipment to W.S. Brown in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
on 5 April 1910. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line, two-block patent dates and address, with the circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right side of the slide is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”.
The left side of the frame is marked with the serial number, and the left of the trigger guard has a “VP” proof and “W”. It has rounded blade front and rounded top notch rear sights, and the checkered spur hammer. It is fitted with a pair of diamond pattern checkered grips,
an unmarked full blue magazine, and a smooth back strap not cut for a shoulder stock.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish, 70% of the original case colors on the
hammer, and 95% of the bright original niter blue with some mild edge/holster type wear and some scattered light handling marks. The grips are excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Colt Model 1905 pistols are a must have for a complete Colt auto collection, and one would have
a difficult time finding a finer example than this! Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 339
Exceptional and Attractive Documented Individual Shipped Colt Model 1902 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter - Serial no. 34309, 38 Colt auto cal., 6 inch round
bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1911, this Military Model of 1902 pistol exhibits the early production mirror polish blue finish as well as the spurred hammer which is
consistently found on pistols over serial number 33000. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line patent date and two-line address arranged in two blocks with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right side of the slide has the two-line caliber marking, “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”.
The left side of the frame has the serial number and “VP” and “W” on the left of the trigger guard. It is fitted with blade and rounded top notch sights, a lanyard swivel on the lower left of the grip frame, checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant
Colts and “COLT” banners, and two-tone magazine marked “MIL./COLT/38 CAL.” on the base plate. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as a manufacture date of 2 November 1911 and shipment
to Chung Ku on 20 March 1912. No other information is known about this individual at this time.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% of the slightly thinning original high polish blue finish, 95% of the vibrant case colors on the hammer, and 80% of the original niter blue on small parts with some light thinning and edge wear, and a few
scattered light handling marks. The grips are excellent with a light scuff at the bottom of the right panel and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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