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Exceptional U.S. Army Contract Colt Military Model 1902 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Documentation and

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Semiautomatic Handguns Start Price:5,500.00 USD Estimated At:11,000.00 - 16,000.00 USD
Exceptional U.S. Army Contract Colt Military Model 1902 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Documentation and
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Exceptional U.S. Army Contract Colt Military Model 1902 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Documentation and Accessories

This is a exceptional example of a rare factory documented Colt Military Model 1902 "U.S. Army" contract test semi-automatic pistol as manufactured in 1902. This rare pistol is accompanied by a typed letter from the consignor, stating that this pistol was originally issued to Captain Albert Montgomery in mid 1917. Capt. Montgomery was a U.S. Army Surgeon that was assigned to the U.S. Army Medical Corp, U.S. Expeditionary force, during World War I. Capt. Montgomery's originally posting was at hospital #13, in Limoge, France, Dec. 1917. He eventually was moved to hospital #7 in Langrass, France; then hospital #6 Chateau-Thierry and eventually to hospital #5 in Argonne, France. The last two being areas of significant World War I battles. The pistol remained with the Captain throughout his career until he was discharged on Sept. 1919. He returned to Chicago with the pistol, which remained with him until his death. This pistol is one of the key models required in any advanced Colt Martial arms collection. This pistol is one of approximately "200" Model 1902 contract pistols actually produced for the U.S. Army that eventually lead to the development and adoption of the Colt Model 1911 pistol. Of the 200 produced; they were shipped in different serial number blocks on two different dates in July 1902, with this pistol being in the second shipment. It is correctly marked with the "U.S." on the left side trigger guard bow, with the U.S. Ordnance inspector initials "J.T.T." for Capt. John Thompson on the right side of the frame with the sub-inspector initials "R.A.C." for Rinaldo A. Carr on the upper trigger guard bow. It has the correct military style square end butt with the lanyard loop on the lower left rear side and sporting style round hammer spur. The left side of the slide is marked with Colt's two-line, two-block patent marking and address markings "BROWNING'S PATENT/ PATENTED APRIL 20.1897. SEPTEMBER 9. 1902" followed by "COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO./HARTFORD, CT.U.S.A.", with the Rampant Colt logo stamped behind the slide serrations. The right side is marked "MODEL 1902" directly behind the slide serrations with "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" behind the ejection port. The left side of the frame has the serial number (15134) stamped above the trigger guard bow. It is complete with an original nickel plated magazine marked "PAT'D SEPT 8. 1894" on the base plate. These pistols have a Colt high polish blue finish with checkered hard rubber grips with "Colt" at the top and the Rampant Colt logo in the center of the grip. The trigger, slide stop and rear sight have the niter blue finish. The hammer and lanyard loop are casehardened. The barrel is blue. This beautiful pistol is complete with an early commercial leather holster with lanyard that is marked on the front of the flap "V.L. & A/CHICAGO" with the belt loop stamped "38/G1333" and an extra magazine.

Manufacture: Colt
Model: 1902 Military
BBL: 6 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 38 Colt auto
Finish: blue
Grips: black checkered plastic
Serial Number: 15134

Extremely fine with 90% plus of the strong bright original Colt high polish blue finish overall with edge and high spot wear and some thinning on the front and rear grip straps. The grips are excellent with nice distinct markings and checkering overall. The leather holster is good with nice soft medium brown leather with clear sharp markings with a small section of stitching coming loose. Other than the Model 1900 sight safety model pistol this is one of the rarest and hardest U.S. martially marked semi-automatic pistols to find, especially in this condition!