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According to "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920" by Meadows, only 100 Colt Model 1900 "Sight Safety" Semi-Automatic pistols were produced for the First Army Contract.
LOT 348
Extremely Rare, Historic, Documented U.S. Colt Model 1900 First U.S. Army Contract “Sight Safety” Semi-Automatic Pistol with Rock Island Holster and Factory Letter - Serial no. 138,
38 Rimless cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, varnished cartouched walnut grips. This rare and exceptional Colt Model 1900 sight safety semi-automatic pistol was manufactured as part of the Ordnance Department contract for 100 pistols issued on May 10, 1900. This pistol is accompanied
by an equally rare black bridle leather holster with “U.S.” embossed flap manufactured by Rock
Island Arsenal for issue with the Army Contract Model 1900 Pistols. This pistol has an un-altered
sight safety, sixteen milled grip serrations on either side of the slide, hammer with sharp, bordered, knurled spur, two-piece, smooth, walnut grips and nickel-plated seven shot magazine. The pistol has the Colt high polish, commercial blue finish on the slide, barrel and frame, fire blue trigger, pins, and screws and color casehardened rear sight and hammer. A “U.S.” property mark is stamped on the left trigger guard web. The inspection date “1900” is stamped above the Ordnance final inspection mark which consists of the script initials “JTT” enclosed in a rectangle with rounded ends on the left grip above the lower screw escutcheon. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped: “AUTOMATIC COLT/ CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” ahead of the ejection port. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped: “BROWNING’S PATENT”/PAT’D APRIL 20, 1897” in a two- line block followed by the legend: “COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD. CONN. U.S.A.” in two lines. The encircled Rampant Colt trademark is roll-stamped on the left side of the slide behind the grip serrations. The serial number, “138”, is stamped on the left side of the frame above the trigger guard web. The magazine floor plate is roll-stamped: “PAT’D SEPT. 9. 1884”. The holster is one of only fifty designed to be carried with the pistol butt to the rear. The “U.S.” embossed flap is secured by a brass finial. The elongated belt loop
is secured by two brass rivets and stitched at the bottom. The bottom plug is stitched in place and has a drain hole. The back of the flap is stamped: “ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL/EHS” in three lines. Three illegible inspector’s initials are stamped on the bottom of the flap. Fifty of the 100 Army Contract Model 1900 pistols were sent to Manila for troop tests and Army units in Cuba and Puerto Rico each received twenty-five pistols. One holster and 200 cartridges accompanied each pistol. 326 of the 376 holsters manufactured were intended to be worn in the traditional manner on the right side with the pistol butt facing the front. Following criticism from the field, Rock Island Arsenal manufactured fifty holsters designed to be worn on the right side with the butt facing the rear. The included factory letter confirms the caliber, barrel length, and finish with the type of stocks not listed. The revolver was shipped to Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts, as part of a 25 gun shipment on
May 23, 1900.
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