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Collector’s Fact
One of only 250 U.S.
Navy contract Model 1900 pistols produced.
LOT 3275
Exceptional U.S. Navy Contract Colt
Model 1900 Sight Safety Semi-Automatic
Pistol - Serial no. 1138, 38 Colt auto cal.,
6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Shipped on 22 October 1900, this pistol falls in
the middle shipment of Model 1900 “sight safety” pistols sent from Colt
to the U.S. government general storekeeper at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Colt produced only 250 of these scarce pistols under contract for the United States Navy, all of which were shipped in the fall of 1900. These automatic pistols were
the pinnacle of firearms technology at the time and were ordered by the navy
to test the feasibility of the automatic pistol as a seafaring weapon. The left side
of the slide carries the two-line “BROWNING’S PATENT” marking and the two-line Colt address arranged in two blocks, with the circled Rampant Colt following behind the serrations, which are at the rear of the slide. The right side of the slide
is marked with the “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” caliber designation. The right side of the frame is marked with Colt’s production serial number, which ran from 1001 to 1250 for the contract. The left side of the frame bears the U.S. Navy inventory number “U.S.N. 138”, these numbers corresponding to the serial numbers, ran from U.S.N. 1 to U.S.N. 250. The left side of the trigger guard has the “B” inside a triangle proof and the right side has the iconic trident navy inspection mark. The pistol is fitted with a blade front sight and notch rear sight in
158 Estimate: 20,000 - 35,000
its original “sight safety” configuration, a checkered spur hammer, a pair of smooth walnut
grips, and a full nickel magazine marked “PAT’D SEPT.9.1884” on the base.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus of the bright, original, high polish blue finish, 95% of the vivid original case colors, and 90% of the original nitre blue with some light scratches and dings scattered throughout. The grips are very fine with numerous scattered minor dings and scratches throughout. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.