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LOT 1302
Rare and Desirable U.S. Army Test Trials Colt Model 1907 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol, Serial Number “49” - Serial no. 49, 45 ACP
cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in early 1908 as one of only a reported 205 of these Colt Model 1907 pistols made, 200 of
which were for U.S. Army field trials and 5 for presentation, per page 52 of “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920” by Meadows. Most of the pistols were delivered to
Springfield Armory in March 1908 to be issued for troop test trials with the U.S. Cavalry, with the balance being for presentation purposes and many likely not surviving the
grueling military trials, making surviving examples few and far between. These pistols were serial numbered in their own range between 1-205. An important evolutionary
step on the road to the iconic Model 1911, the Model 1907 represented the U.S. Army’s first foray with the equally iconic .45 ACP chambering, both of which would go
on the remain the general issued sidearm and cartridge of the U.S. military for the better portion of the 20th century. While not listed itself, this pistol’s serial number falls
within the range of 66 known surviving examples listed on page 83 of the aforementioned book, being two digits off from another pistol on the list, serial number “47”, and
pages 64 and 83 of the book indicate it falls in the inclusive 1-65 serial range of pistols issued to Troop K of the 10th
Cavalry at Fort William McKinley for service in the Philippines. Features fixed oval blade front and rounded notch rear
sights, the two-line, two-block patent date and Colt address marked on the left of the slide and “CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS
SMOKELESS” chambering designation marked on the right of the slide, enhanced serial number “49” on the left of
the frame, “K.M.” (Major Kenneth Morton) inspector mark on the left of the trigger guard, a checkered grip safety,
spur hammer design, modified ejection port, externally visible chamber indicator, modified ejector, and lanyard
loop on the left side of the grip frame. Fitted with a pair of reproduction checkered walnut grips with ‘diamond’
patterning around the screws and unmarked blued magazine.
CONDITION: Fine, with 95% plus refinished blue, 80% niter blue, and 85% plus case colors with some minor handling
and filing marks visible under the finish, enhanced roll marks and serial number, plum coloration to the niter blue
parts, softened edges, but otherwise limited minor handling wear. The modern replacement grips are exceptionally
fine with some minor compression wear to the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An opportunity
to add a representative U.S. test trials Colt Model 1907 pistol to your collection!
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
According to "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-
1920" By Meadows, only 200 Colt Model 1907 Army
Contract pistols were produced for field trials.