GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
EXTREMELY RARE COLT MODEL 1902 ARMY TEST PISTOL.COLT190215115.38 ACPMODERN; C&RCal. .38 ACP. 6" bbl, blue finish with checkered hard rubber grips with "Colt" and Rampant Colt logo embossed. "U.S." stamped on the front left trigger guard bow and "RAC" stamped on right trigger guard bow. "J.T.T." stamped on right side of frame above trigger guard. "RAC" stands for Rinaldo A. Carr a civilian inspector and "J.T.T." for Capt. John T. Thompson who was an inspector at the Springfield Armory. Left rear of grip frame mounts a lanyard ring. 200 of these Army contract pistols were made in 1902, the SN range for these test pistols is 15001 - 15200. Slide shows fine checkering on the forward end with standard markings on either side correct for the production of this model. Slide is SN'd to the pistol on the inside rear flat along with a "RAC" inspector's mark and "M" inspector mark in a deep channel. Blue bbl is unmarked. Frame has a clearly marked SN on left side and deeply struck inspector marks on right side. There is a "K" inspector's mark on the forward right side of the frame in the slide channel. Magazine is nickel plated. The bottom plate is marked "Pat'd Sept. 9 1884". Patent was assigned to the Remington Arms Co. Colt paid a royalty to Remington for each magazine made until expiration of the patent in March of 1902. These pistols were completed and shipped in July of 1902. The first 100 were delivered at Springfield Armory on July 15th, the remaining 100 pistols 15101 - 15200 were received at Springfield Armory on July 25th. These pistols were actually issued on Sept 12th, to units which were stationed at Forts Riley and Leavenworth, in KS and at Jefferson Barracks, in Missouri and were subjected to severe field testing. In 1909 the model 1902's were deemed unserviceable and were declared surplus. A total of 62 were sold to individuals along with the older model 1900 pistols. Two documented surviving examples, #15108 and #15119, bracket the SN of #15115 which was not documented at the time that the Meadows book was published. CONDITION: Fine for this model. Slide retains 50% blue finish with muzzle and high point wear and mars and scratches overall. Slide markings are sharp with no evidence of cleaning. Bbl retains 90% blue finish. Bore is dark with visible rifling. Frame retains 50% blue finish which is bright in protected areas. Some erosion behind the grips. Frame shows light scratches overall. Some cleaning above right grip. Grip straps are a plum/brown with traces of orig blue remaining. Trigger retains 50% fire blue on either side. Hammer retains traces of orig case hardening. Magazine retains 80% nickel finish with scratching on the sides, bottom plate is very good with a sharp patent mark. Grips are fine with sharp checkering and very few mars or dents. An opportunity to obtain an extremely rare Colt Model 1902 test pistol, one of only 200 produced. It would be a welcome addition to any collection of early Colt Automatics. 49616-10 TEP (10,000-15,000)