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LOT 1288
Rare and Desirable U.S. Army Test Trials Serial Number 70 Colt Model 1907 Military
Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 70, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in early 1908, this is an example of a highly desirable and very rare, two digit
serialized, U.S. Colt Model 1907 semi-automatic military trials pistol which was subsequently
shipped to England. Only 207 total of these pistols were made, with the balance being for
presentation purposes and many likely not surviving the grueling military trials, makings
surviving examples on the collectors market incredibly scarce. This pistol is listed by serial
number on p. 83 of “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920” by Meadows as one of only
66 surviving examples of these rare trials pistols. These pistols have remained an important
evolutionary step towards the iconic Model 1911 and represent the U.S. military’s first foray
into pistols chambered in the legendary .45 ACP cartridge. The left side of the slide is marked
with the two-line, two-block patent dates and the Hartford address, and the right side has the
standard two line caliber marking. The serial number is marked on the left side of the frame,
and the inspectors initials “K.M.” (Major Kenneth Morton) are on the upper left front of the
trigger guard bow. The right rear of the slide and frame are stamped with small British “crown/
GP” proofmarks. These pistols were equipped with a new spur hammer design, modified
ejection port, externally visible chamber indicator, modified ejector, fixed lanyard loop on
the lower left of the grip frame, and new special grip safety with spur. The left grip panel was
modified at the factory to accommodate the lanyard loop. The pistol is finished blue with a
nitre blue on most small components. The grips are checkered walnut with a diamond pattern
around the screws.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 60% of the bright, original, high polish blue and some mild
handling wear and marks, typical of a pistol submitted to U.S. military trials. The grips are
fine with some scattered minor handling marks and well-defined checkering. Firing pin
stuck forward, chamber indicator needs adjustment, otherwise mechanically excellent. An
opportunity to add a U.S. test trials Colt Model 1907 pistol to your collection, a pistol which is
absent from some of even the most extensive Colt automatic and U.S. military collections!
Estimate: 55,000 - 85,000
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