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The right side of the slide is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” in two unequal lines. The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED/ APR.20.1897.SEPT.9.1902.DEC.19.1905” in a two-line block followed by “COLT’S PT. F.A.MFG. CO./HARTFORD.CT. U.S.A.” in two lines. The left side of the frame is hand- stamped with the serial number, “4” above the trigger guard. “40 CAL/MODEL” are stamped in two vertical lines beneath the slide stop; “40 CAL” is hand-stamped and “MODEL” is stamped with a single die. “RAD 40” (Research and Development) is hand- stamped vertically above the magazine release. “98” is stamped on the lower left side of the barrel chamber above the lug. This pistol was originally discovered in the white by Mike Cairnes sometime in the late 1980’s when it was sold to noted author Edward S. Meadows. At some point Mr. Meadows sent the pistol to the late, world renowned, gunsmith and restorer Steve Moller of Fulton Illinois to be finished. Included with the pistol are a First Place Award from the 2007 Colt Collectors Association (CCA) Show at
Reno, Nevada, a CCA 2007 Display Award, a Texas Gun Collectors Association Spring 2008 Most Historical Award, a Texas Gun Collectors Association Display Award and a notebook entitled “LOST BABY FOUND/COLT’S 9.8 m/m AUTOMATIC PISTOL” which contains the specifications of the pistol and copies of articles written about the pistol’s development.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The pistol retains nearly all of the high polish blue finish with only very minor finish wear on the edges of the slide and frame. The barrel has 85% of the blue finish. The magazine has nearly all of the original blue finish. The niter blue rear sight has some finish loss on the top edge; the other niter blue components retain 98% of the fiery finish. The grips are also near mint with sharp checkering. The markings on the slide and frame are crisp. This is an ultra-rare historic and prize-winning experimental Colt semi-automatic pistol.
Estimate: 75,000 - 150,000
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