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LOT 1308
Rare First U.S. Army Contract Colt Model 1900 “Sight Safety”
Semi-Automatic Pistol with U.S. Marked Leather Holster - Serial
no. 206, 38 Colt auto cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
This is a very rare example of a U.S. marked, Colt Model 1900 “Sight
Safety” semi-automatic pistol that was manufactured as part of the first U.S. Ordnance
Department contract for 100 pistols, issued May 10, 1900. This model is described on pages
25-31 and this example is actually listed by serial number on page 28 of the book “U.S.
Military Automatic Pistols, 1894-1920” by Scott Meadows. It is stamped with serial number, “206”, on the left side of the frame above
the trigger guard. It is stamped with the rare “U.S.” property mark on the front left trigger guard bow. This rare example retains its unaltered
rear sight safety mechanism, sixteen milled grip serrations on either side of the slide, hammer with sharp bordered knurled spur, and a nickel-
plated seven shot magazine. Originally these pistols had a Colt high polish,
commercial blue finish on the metal parts with a fire blue trigger, pins, and
screws and color casehardened rear sight and hammer. The slide is correctly
roll-stamped on the right side “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS
SMOKELESS” and on the left side “BROWNING’S PATENT”/PAT’D APRIL 20, 1897” “COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS
MFG. CO./HARTFORD. CONN. U.S.A.” The circled Rampant Colt trademark is stamped on the left rear side
of the slide. Currently it is fitted with a later set of unmarked smooth walnut grips that do not have the
Ordnance final inspection cartouches or “1900” date. The magazine floor plate is roll-stamped: “PAT’D SEPT.
9. 1884”. This pistol is accompanied by an equally rare, original black leather bridle holster with the large
“U.S.” embossed on the front flap. This holster was manufactured by Rock Island Arsenal specifically for
issue with the Army Contract Model 1900 Pistols (and later for the Model 1902). The holster is correctly
stamped on the back side: “ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL/E.H.S.” The embossed “U.S.” flap is secured by a brass
stud on the front and the elongated belt loop on the back is secured by two brass rivets and stitched at the bottom. The bottom plug is stitched in place and has a drain hole. 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. Of the original 376 holsters manufactured by Rock Island, 326 were intended to be worn in the traditional
manner, on the right side with the pistol butt facing the front. However, 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.
CONDITION: Fair with a very light thinning artificial gray/brown patina mix with areas of old touch up cold blue type finish. The markings are mostly visible; however, they are weak in several areas.
The hammer and sight safety mechanism have been reheat blued that are starting to fade. There is a small cross-pin missing from the lower front edge of the frame that holds the plug in place.
The grips are good with a nice dark brown color overall mixed with light handling marks and pressure dents. The right side shows a 1/2 inch crack running from the lower grip escutcheon to the
edge of the grip. Mechanically fine. The rare U.S. marked leather holster is good with all the stitching intact with clear visible marking on the back and the large US on the front flap. The leather
shows age cracking overall with slightly heavier age cracking on the front of the holster and top of the belt loop.
Estimate: 9,000 - 15,000
LOT 1309
Fine World War I Era U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 119985, 45
ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1914, one of 25,747 Model 1911 pistols
manufactured by the U.S. Springfield Armory until 1917. Features fixed oval blade front and notch rear sights,
replacement blued barrel with “S” and “P” marked on the recoil lug, checkered slide stop, thumb safety, magazine release, and wide
spur hammer, short grip safety, smooth long trigger, and straight mainspring housing with a lanyard loop on the base. The slide bears the
three-line Colt patent dates and two-line Springfield Armory markings on the left with “ordnance bomb” behind the slide serrations, along
with model and U.S. Army nomenclature on the right side with “eagle seal” crest behind the chamber. The left side of the frame bears the U.S.
property marking and an “ordnance bomb”, with serial number on the right side. Fitted with a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips
and unmarked two-tone Springfield Armory pattern magazine with a ‘rolled side’ lanyard loop baseplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% original blue finish with light edge wear, thinning on the slide and grip straps revealing mostly grey patina,
some brown patina showing, some minor spotting/freckling, and mild handling marks. The moderately worn grips are very good with defined
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
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.