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LOT 1269
Outstanding Documented Early Production Colt Sporting Model 1902 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter - Serial no. 4451, 38 Colt Auto cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1902, the first year of production. This specific pistol exhibits the early, plunge-milled, serrations on the forward portion of the slide, which was standard until serial number 8000, when the serrations were changed to a V-cut, and then at serial number 8200 were moved to the rear of the slide. It is also fitted with the rounded hammer, a feature that didn’t truly become standard until mid-1904. The included factory letter addressed to Herb Glass and dated October 4, 1983, confirms the current configuration, grips and barrel length not listed, as well as shipment to M. Hartley & Co. in New York on 25 July 1902. The letter also notes that the records indicate “with strut hammer”, which is likely meaning “stub hammer” as noted in other similar factory listings. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line “BROWNING’S PATENT” marking, the two-line Colt address, and circled Rampant Colt at the rear. The right side of the slide has the standard two-line caliber marking. The left side of the frame is marked with the serial number. It is fitted with blade front and round top notch rear sights, checkered hard rubber grips with “COLT” banners at the top and Rampant Colts at the center, and a correct early pattern nickeled magazine with floorplate marked “PAT’D SEPT.9.1884”.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the bright original, high polish blue finish, 99% of the vibrant case colors on the hammer, and 98%
of the lustrous niter blue on small parts with some light edge wear, mostly near the front of the slide, and some light handling wear on the
grip straps. The grips are also excellent showing an attractively aged chocolate tone, a few light handling marks, and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. Quite possibly the finest known Colt Sporting Model 1902 semi-automatic pistol!
Provenance: Herb Glass; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
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