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stamped: “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” in two lines ahead of the ejection
port. The serial number, “883”, is stamped on the left side of the frame and the Colt “Triangle/VP”
proofmark is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard bow. The combination stock/holster is made
of black cowhide and is lined with russet leather. The holster flap is secured by a closing strap with brass
finial, and the back of the holster has a spring fastened leather belt loop. The stock mount is brass with a
knurled steel catch. The holster is not marked but conforms exactly to the example pictured in the 1909
Colt catalog. Colt Model 1905 pistols with combination shoulder stock and holster are rare.
CONDITION: Very good. The pistol and combination stock/holster are all original. The pistol 90% of the Colt
high polish commercial blue finish. The slide has moderate finish wear at the front and along both edges.
Finish wear on the frame is concentrated on the front edge, the spur below the hammer and back strap. The
barrel retains 85% of the blue finish. The fire blue finish on the trigger and small parts shows moderate wear. The
case colors on the hammer have faded to a silver-gray patina. The slide and frame markings are clear. The grips are
in very fine condition with sharp checkering and some handling wear at the base of each heel. The grips retain 60%
of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. The combination stock/holster remains in very good condition. The
leather is smooth, supple and free from cracking or flaking. The stitching on the seams is tight. This is a very good
example of a rare Colt Model 1905 Automatic Pistol with original combination stock/holster that was formerly part of
the gun collection of popular gun writer Elmer Keith.
Provenance: The Elmer Keith Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 35,000 - 50,000
LOT 359
Rare Documented Colt
Model 1905 Military .45
Semi-Automatic Pistol
with Combination Stock
and Holster from the
Elmer Keith Collection
- Serial no. 883, 45 ACP
cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. This
Colt Model 1905 pistol was
manufactured in 1906. Colt
shipping records reproduced
in “The Government Models”
by William H.D. Goddard list
Model 1905 serial number 883
as being shipped to: “Missoula
Merc., Co., R.K. Carter 7 Co.”
on October 2, 1906. This pistol
is listed by serial number on a
hand-written inventory of the
Elmer Keith gun collection dated
April 1972 and described as:
“P 112 Colt Auto Model 1905/
Back strap grooved for shoulder
stock holster/Very rare”. Colt manufactured fewer than 500 Model 1905 Automatic
Pistols with frames modified to accept the special combination stock and holster in 1906 and 1908. The
1906 group falls within the 1-1500 serial number range which includes this pistol. This exact pistol is
also pictured on pages 101-102 of the book “Sixguns” by Elmer Keith, one of the captions indicating the
gun as being out of the author’s collection. The pistol has the high polish Colt commercial blue finish
on the frame and slide. The trigger, extractor spring, slide lock, stock screws and small parts have a fire
blue finish. The hammer is color casehardened. The two-piece walnut grips are checkered with small
diamond escutcheons surrounding the stock screws. The seven shot magazine has a full blue finish with
unmarked floor plate. The pistol has the early rounded hammer with knurled top and half-cock notch
used through serial number 3600. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the third style markings
with 1905 patent date and “COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A.” followed
by the encircled Rampant Colt trademark behind the slide serrations. The right side of the slide is roll-
Elmer Keith
339