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Important Historic Note
Only 205 of the rare U.S. Trial Colt 1907 pistols were produced. This pistol was issued to Troop H, 4th cavalry, at Fort Snelling, MN.
LOT 3452
Rare Unaltered Grip Safety U.S. Trials Colt Model 1907 Army Contract Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 167, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch bbl., blue finish, walnut checkered grips.
This is a solid representative example of an unaltered grip safety variant example of one of the 200 Model 1907 pistols purchased
by the Army for troop trials with the U.S. Cavalry. This pistol was
issued to Troop H, 4th Cavalry, at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. On March 28, 1909, at the conclusion of the trials, the
troop commander, 1st Lieutenant C. Burnett reported: “The pistol, in its present form, is not considered a desirable arm for mounted troops.” In an effort to remedy some of the problems that were reported during the cavalry troop trials, 101 of the Model 1907 pistols were modified by Colt by replacing the hammer, adding a spur to the grip safety
and enlarging the ejection port. The modified pistols were re-issued for testing. This pistol was not modified and remains in the original configuration as it was issued to the 4th Cavalry at Ft. Snelling. The pistol is blued and has finely checkered walnut stocks with small diamonds surrounding the brass grip screw escutcheons. The pistol has the first pattern hammer, checkered grip safety with no spur and unaltered ejection port. The U.S. Army Ordnance Inspector’s initials “K.M.” (Capt. Kenneth Morton) are stamped on the left side of the trigger guard bow. The serial number,
“167”, is stamped on the left side of the frame above the trigger guard bow. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped:
“PATENTED/APR.20.1897.SEPT.9.1902.DEC.19.1905.” in two lines followed by: “COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CONN.U.S.A.” in a two line block. The right side of the side is roll-stamped: AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” in two lines in front of the ejection port. The seven-round magazine has a full blue finish. The Colt M1907 Army Pistol was a key step in the development of the Colt Model 1911.
CONDITION: Fine as period refinished. The markings on both sides the slide are light and the sides of the slide show scattered pitting. The left side of the frame has a strong serial number and clear “K.M.” Ordnance inspection mark. The barrel has been polished bright. The grips are also fine with the original finish and sharp checkering. The magazine has been re-finished and is in good condition. The pistol presents a very good appearance. The Colt Model
1907 Army Contract Pistol is desirable in any condition, especially rare in unaltered form, and is a key piece in any Colt or Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
U.S. military automatic pistol collection.
LOT 3453
Documented Colt Model 1911A1 Transitional Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter - Serial no. 702247, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue
finish, checkered walnut grips. Colt Transitional Model 1911 pistol manufactured and delivered to the Army in
1924. The Transition Model pistols are serial numbered between 700001 and 710000, having all the Model 1911A1 features although the right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911.U.S.ARMY”. The pistol features a brush blue finish. Although
the Transitional pistols were delivered to the Army, Springfield Research Service records show large numbers of these pistols were actually issued to the Navy. The left side of the frame directly below the slide stop is stamped with the early placement
“WTG” (Walter T. Gorton) monogram in a circle utilized on only the first approximately 100 pistols. The left side of the slide
has the Colt 1897-1913 patent dates in a two-line block, two-line Hartford address with the Rampant Colt in the center. The rear of the slide is marked with the “H” inspection mark above the firing pin stop. The top of the chamber is marked with a conjoined “H”“P,” and the upper right side of the trigger guard is marked with a “60”. The grips are the full checkered walnut. Low profile fixed sights, the trigger, slide stop, thumb safety, hammer and main spring housing are checkered, and two two-tone magazines. The accompanying factory letter verifies the Transition Model, caliber, barrel length, blue finish with the grips as “Not Listed” and that it was sold to the U.S. Government and shipped as 1 of 1,000 to Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts, on February 13, 1924. Special features state “Furnished with a new style trigger, grip safety and mainspring housing.” The remarks state “Although these pistols are categorized in the Colt records as Model 1911 pistols, they are furnished with the Model 1911A1 improvements.”
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally refurbished, with 99% of the blue finish remaining, showing a thin line of gray on the lower right side of the slide, dents on the left side of the trigger guard, the beginning of a gray patina along the edges and minor handling marks. The grips are excellent with some mild handling wear and sharp checkering. The markings are crisp and clear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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