This is a very scarce Colt Military Model 1902 "U.S. Army" contract semi-automatic pistol as manufactured circa 1902. It is one of the key models required in any advanced Colt martial arms collection, as it eventually lead to the development and adoption of the Colt Model 1911 pistol. This model is discussed on pages 42-47 in the reference book "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920" by Scott Meadow. There were exactly 200 of this model manufactured with all being shipped to Springfield Armory in July 1902. As discussed on page 44 in the noted reference, the first 100 were shipped July 15th and the second 100 were shipped on July 25. 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/PAT'D APRIL 20.1897" followed by "COLT'S PATENT FIREARMS MFG.CO./HARTFORD, CONN. 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 stamped above the trigger guard bow. It is complete with the an original nickel plated magazine marked "PAT'D SEPT 9. 1884" 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.

Extremely fine overall with 90% of the bright original high polish blue finish still remaining. There are several areas of old dark heavy corrosion/pitting on the pistol that are confined to the top and front right side of the slide, directly above and behind the front checkering panel, the right rear edge of the slide, and the lower front toe area of the frame. There was an attempt to remove some of this old corrosion/rust and they inadvertently removed some areas of the blue finish in these areas and on the left side of the slide. Leaving some light scratches. Additionally there is some distinct areas of corrosion starting under the edges of both grip panels with some light blue flaking on the rear grip strap. The various smaller parts, trigger, rear sight, cross-pins and screws still retain 95% of their nitre blue finish. The hammer also still retains 90% plus of its vivid case colors. The faded grips are very fine. Mechanically excellent. A scare and historically significant original U.S. Army Contract Colt Military Model 1902 pistol.