June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
Manufactured 1903, second year of production. Has all early features to include finely checkered slide in forward position, round hammer, square butt, lanyard loop, Nitre blue screws and trigger, high polished early finish, and Colt logo black composite grips. Magazine base stamped "PAT'D SEPT 9 1884". Approximately 18,000 Military Models were produced from July 1902 to December 1928. It is referred to as the Military Model due to its square butt and lanyard, but all were made for the commercial market. Left side has the early Browning's patent stamp with "APRIL 20 1897 SEPT 9 1902" dates in three lines (went to two lines at the end of 1904). Only the first 3,200 produced had the front slide checkering. The round hammer was used through serial No. 32000. Has the steel half moon front sight with rounded rear and the first style slide lock with groove. The full blued magazine was introduced at the end of 1903; this magazine was only used from 1903 to 1905. The trigger guard does not have the verified proof that was introduced in 1905. This very early pistol has seen only light use. The rear grip strap retains approximately 20% of the Colt high polish blue, balance thinned to grey. Front grip strap is a 60% but thinning ratio. Slide shows wear around muzzle and some wear to high edges, but the balance of the frame and slide retain approximately 90% of the Colt high polished royal blue finish. 90% case colors on hammer. Strong rifled bore. Extremely fine condition second year production commercial "Military Model".
CORRECTION: Serial number is stamped on the underside of the slide and it does match