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286
LOT 330
U.S. Colt Model 1907 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol
Serial Number 9 with Factory Letter - Serial no. 9, 45
ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, checkered walnut
grips. This is an example of a highly desirable, single digit serialized U.S. Colt Model 1907
semi-automatic trial pistol. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-block, two-line 1897, 1902
and ‘05 patent dates and the Hartford address, and the right side is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE
45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. 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 left
side of the frame and slide are marked with the number “286”. The right rear of the slide and frame
are stamped with the British “crown/GP” proofmark, and the barrel chamber has been nitro proofed
and marked “.45 .900”/7 TONS”. These pistols were equipped with an updated spur hammer design,
modified ejection port, externally visible chamber indicator, fixed lanyard loop on the lower left rear,
and the 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 fire blue on most small components. The grips
are checkered walnut with a diamond pattern around the screws. This model was a predecessor of
the Model 1911 and was a very vital step in the development of the Model 1911. Examples of these
historic, extremely scarce, and highly desirable pistols are rarely offered for sale. The accompanying
factory letter verifies the serial number, caliber, blue finish with grips as not listed and that it was
shipped in a shipment of 200 to the United States Government, Commanding Officer, Springfield
Armory, Springfield, Mass. on March 17, 1908. Remarks state that the pistol was equipped with
the following special features: modified hammer, nearly vertical ejection, auto indicator to show
chamber is loaded, clip type magazine release, lanyard loop on the left side of the butt below the grip,
automatic safety, straightened stirrup and a lengthened stirrup pin. It also states that the initials “K.M.”
are those of Maj. Kenneth Morton, Chief Inspector and Accepting Officer from 1907 to 1908.
CONDITION: Fine. The pistol retains 50% of the original blue finish, with balance a brown patina. The
trigger and slide stop retain most of the original bright fire blue finish. The grips are very fine with
several minor chips and bruises in the checkering, a small chip on the left heel and overall crisp
checkering. The markings remain crisp and clear. Mechanically excellent. A very historic and rarely
encountered U.S. Colt Model 1907 semi-automatic trail pistol.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 30,000 - 50,000
According to "U.S. Military
Automatic Pistols 1894-1920"
by Meadows, only 200 Colt Model
1907 Army Contract pistols were
produced for field trials.
Serial Number 9