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LOT 3387
Rare and Desirable Documented U.S. Army Test Trials Colt Model 1907 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol, Serial Number “24” -
Serial no. 24, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, stock, 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. This pistol is listed by its serial number, 24, on page 83 of the aforementioned book, as one of only 66 known surviving
examples of these rare trials pistols, 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. The Model 1907 appears very similar to the Model 1905 with the addition of a grip safety and a fixed lanyard loop at the
bottom of the frame. The 1907 was altered from its original form in 1909 due to difficulties in the field such as jamming and other functional inconveniences. The alterations
included a change in the design of the hammer, the addition of a spur to the grip safety and the enlarging of the ejection port. The pistol features the “K.M.” (Major Kenneth
Morton) military inspection markings on the trigger guard bow. The right side of the slide is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT/
CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” in two lines in front of the ejection port. The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED/
APR.20.1897.SEPT.9.1902.DEC.19.1905” and “COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD. CONN. U.S.A.” in two lines. The
serial number is located on the left side of the frame above the trigger guard bow. The gun is finished in the standard Colt
high-polish blue, with a casehardened hammer and niter blue trigger, extractor, grip screws, magazine release, and grip
safety. Lanyard loop at the bottom of the frame below the grip on the left side. The grips are checkered walnut. The correct
unmarked 7-shot magazine is blued.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% original high polish blue concentrated on the sides of the frame, 40% original niter blue
small parts, 60% brilliant original case colors on the hammer, with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, some
scratches on the left of the frame beneath the slide, with legible markings. The grips are also very good with a few dings and
blemishes in the checkering. Mechanically functions. A rare and significant Colt Model 1907 U.S. Army test trials pistol!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 20,000
Collector’s Fact
According to "U.S. Military
Automatic Pistols 1894-1920"
By Meadows, only 200 Colt
Model 1907 Army Contract
pistols were produced
for field trials.