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LOT 1297
U.S. Army First Contract Colt Model 1900 “Sight Safety” Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter - Serial no. 185, 38
ACP cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in early 1900, this is a solid representative example of one of
only 100 Colt Model 1900 pistols manufactured to fulfill the first contract for the U.S. Army. The included factory letter confirms the
current configuration, the grips not listed, as well as sale to the U.S. government and shipment to Springfield Armory on 1 June 1900 in a shipment of
25 pistols. These initial 100 pistols were ordered by the Ordnance Department to test the feasibility of an automatic pistol in the hands of army officers.
Later, a further 200 Model 1900 pistols were ordered, at least partially due to the high demand by officers stationed in the Philippines for automatic
pistols. These initial pistols were serial numbered 11, 12, 59, 60, 87-132, 133-157, and 183-207. These pistols were inspected by Captain John T. Thompson,
whose cartouche is reproduced on the left grip with “1900” above it, as pictured on p. 25 of “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920” by Meadows.
Following their shipment to Springfield Armory, 50 of these pistols were sent to the Philippines, 25 to Cuba, and 25 to Puerto Rico, where they were issued
to officers who were expected to test their merits and provide feedback. Overall, the reports were mixed, though there were several reoccurring negative
comments, those being: two hands were required to fire the first shot, the pistols were muzzle heavy, and the officers felt that they were inherently more
dangerous than revolvers. In May of 1909, 126 Model 1900 pistols (a mix of first and second contract) were turned in at Rock Island Arsenal for inspection.
On 18 June 1909 the Commanding Officer of Rock Island Arsenal was approved to sell the pistols, with the price being set at $7.50 for a pistol, magazine,
and holster. Of these 100 first contract pistols, only 30 known surviving examples, including this example, are listed on p. 28 of the previously mentioned reference, making these
pistols an exceptionally scarce U.S. Military automatic in any condition. This example is marked with the correct two-line, two-block Browning’s patent and Colt address followed by
the circled Rampant Colt on the left of the matching numbered slide, while the right has the standard two-line
caliber marking. Both sides of the slide have the enhanced plunge milled serrations at the rear. The left side of the
frame is marked with the serial number “185”, and the trigger guard bow is marked “U.S.” The rear sight is in the
original “sight safety” configuration. It is fitted with a coarsely checkered spur hammer, a replacement pair of smooth
walnut grips with “1900/JTT” cartouche on the left panel, and a correct nickeled magazine with the
1884 patent date on the bottom.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored, retains 98% plus of the blue, nitre blue, and casehardened finishes
with a light scratch on the right of the frame, faint edge wear, and some enhanced markings/serrations. The grips
are very fine with only the slightest handling marks and crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. A rare opportunity
to own a solid representative example of a scarce U.S. first contract Colt Model 1900 “sight safety” pistol!
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 1296
Rare and Desirable U.S. Army Test
Trials Colt Model 1907 Military
Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no.
203, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue
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. The included
copy of the factory letter confirms the configuration, grips not listed, as well as “modified hammer, nearly vertical
ejections, auto indicator to show that chamber is loaded, auto safety, strengthened stirrup, and lengthened trigger
stirrup pin” when sold to the U.S. government and shipped to Big. Gen. William Crozier on 2 April 1908, as part of a four gun shipment.
This particular pistol, bearing serial number 203, falls into the serial number range of five pistols acquired by the Ordnance Department
for presentation as shooting prizes, the first two of which are documented as having been inscribed for their recipients. 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. An
important evolutionary step on the road to the iconic Model 1911, the Model 1907 represented the U.S. Army’s first use of the equally
legendary .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. This pistol is listed by serial number as one of the known surviving examples on p. 83 of the previously
mentioned book. The left side of the slide has the two-line, two-block patent dates and address, while the right has the two-line caliber
marking. The left of the frame is marked with the serial number and the left of the trigger guard has the “K.M.” inspection marking. It is
fitted with blade and notch sights, the original style gently sloped hammer, a replacement pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips,
and an unmarked full-blue magazine. Prior to restoration, a photo was
taken showing this pistol had been non-factory nickel plated
at sometime in the past.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored, retaining 99% plus of the
blue, casehardened, and nitre blue finishes, with only the slightest handling
evidence. The grips are excellent with only the slightest handling marks and
crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
According to "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols
1894-1920" By Meadows, only 200 Colt Model
1907 Army Contract pistols were produced for field
trials, and 5 were produced for presentation.
According to "U.S. Military Automatic
Pistols 1894-1920" by Meadows, only
100 Colt Model 1900 Sight Safety
Pistols were purchased by the U.S.
Ordnance Department in the first
contract.
Serial
Number
203
Serial Number 185