Lot 840: Documented Mexican Contract Colt Model 1902 Military Pistol

OC - FINE- all original parts; over 30% original finish, sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; minor marks in wood.

NPRF - NON-PROFESSIONALLY REFINISHED/COLD BLUE, ETC.

The accompanying factory letter confirms the 6 inch barrel in .38 caliber, blue finish, "Mexican Eagle" stamped on top of the slide, and pearl grips, and lists it as one of 600 pistols sold to the Mexican Ministerio de Guerra y Marina and shipped to the Mexico City dealer A. Combaluzier on February 27, 1908. This pistol correctly falls into the serial number range (30631-31612) of the 600 Model 1902s with pearl stocks and Mexican eagle slide stamp purchased by the Mexican government as identified in William Goddard's "The Government Models" on page 184. The Mexican government later purchased an additional 200 Model 1902s for a grand total of 800 pistols with pearl stocks and Mexican eagle slide stamp. "Although 800 pistols were produced," wrote Douglas Sheldon, "apparently few have survived and even less have returned to the United States" (see "A Collector's Guide to Colt's .38 Automatic Pistols," page 116).