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LOT 3331
Rare U.S. Army Contract Colt Military Model
1902 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 15075, 38 Colt auto cal., 6 inch
round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. This is Colt
Military Model 1902 “U.S. Army” contract semi-automatic pistol that
was manufactured in 1902. This pistol is one of the key models required in
any advanced Colt Martial arms collection. This pistol eventually lead to the
development and adoption of the Colt Model 1911 pistol. There were exactly 200 of
this model manufactured, they were shipped on two different dates and serial number
blocks on July 1902. This example was shipped in the first block of serial numbers as
shipped to Springfield Armory on 15 July 1902, as verified by the Colt factory letter. It is
correctly marked with the “U.S.” on the left side trigger guard bow, with the U.S. Ordnance
inspector initials “J.T.T.” for Capt. John Thompson on the right side of the frame with the
sub-inspector initials “R.A.C.” for Rinaldo A. Carr on the upper trigger guard bow and
internally on the rear slide. It has the correct military style square end butt with the lanyard
loop on the lower left rear side and sporting style round hammer spur. The left side of the
matching number slide is marked with Colt’s two-line, two-block patent marking and address markings “BROWNING’S PATENT/PATENTED APRIL
20.1897.” followed by “COLT’S PATENT FIREARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CONN U.S.A.”, with the Rampant Colt logo stamped behind the slide serrations. The
right side is marked “MODEL 1902” directly behind the slide serrations with “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” behind the ejection port. The left side
of the frame has the serial number stamped above the trigger guard bow. It is complete with the an original nickel plated magazine marked “PAT’D SEPT 9, 1884” on
the base plate. These pistols have a Colt high polish blue finish with checkered hard rubber grips with “Colt” at the top and the Rampant Colt logo in the center of the
grip. The trigger, slide stop and rear sight have the niter blue finish. The hammer and lanyard loop are casehardened. The barrel is blue.
CONDITION: Fine with 40% of the blue original high polish finish overall with loss on the sides of the slide, front and rear grip straps. The grips are very good with
nice original wear across the grips. Mechanically excellent. This is a fine example of an original highly desirable U.S. military contract Colt Military Model 1902 semi-
automatic pistol.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3330
Desirable U.S. Marked “Second Contract” Colt
Model 1900 “Sight Safety” Semi-Automatic
Pistol - Serial no. 1619, 38 Colt auto cal., 6 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is a very scarce
example of a U.S. marked, Colt Model 1900 “Sight Safety” semi-automatic
pistol that was delivered in the second shipment of these rare early semi-
automatic pistols. The Army purchased 200 of these early automatics that were
delivered in two shipments. The first group used serial numbers of 90-150 and
the second shipment fall into serial numbers of 1600-1750. This specific pistol is stamped on the left side of the frame with serial number,
“1619”, with the rare “U.S.” property mark directly below that on the front left trigger guard bow. This model is discussed on pages 25-35 of the
excellent reference book “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols, 1894-1920” by Scott Meadows. This rare pistol still retains its unaltered rear sight safety
mechanism, sixteen milled grip serrations on either side of the slide, hammer with sharp bordered knurled spur, and 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, however this example has been carefully refinished. The slide still retains its original markings of “AUTOMATIC COLT/
CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” and on the left side “BROWNING’S PATENT/PAT’D APRIL 20, 1897”, and “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, very faint. Currently it is fitted with a set of unmarked walnut grips that have been heavily checkered in the middle area of each grip, with
no final inspection cartouches visible. The magazine floor plate is roll-stamped: “PAT’D SEPT. 9. 1884”.
CONDITION: Fine as period refurbished with 90% of the factory quality blue finish overall, with light wear on the edges and high spots. The markings are visible, but are faint. The grips are fine with
the correct coarse checkering. The hammer retains 75% of its original subdued color casehardening. Mechanically fine. A highly sought after early U.S. Army Second Contract Colt Model 1900 sight
safety model.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
According to "U.S. Military Automatic
Pistols 1894-1920" by Meadows, only 200
Colt Model 1900 Sight Safety Second Army
Contract Pistols were produced.
According to "U.S. Military
Automatic Pistols 1894-1920"
by Meadows, only 200 Colt
Model 1902 Army Contract
Pistols were produced.