This is an example of a Colt Model 1902 Sporting Automatic Pistol, chambered for the Colt .38 rimless/smokeless cartridge. The pistol has the blue Colt commercial finish with casehardened, rounded hammer and is fitted with checkered black hard rubber grips. The pistol has the distinctive rounded butt, round hammer, no lanyard ring and seven shot magazine, characteristic of the Model 1902 Sporting model. The slide is fitted with a rounded rear sight and has the grip serrations on the front end of the slide. The left side of the slide is marked with the first pattern markings in two lines, with two blocks 'BROWNING'S PATENT/APR. 20. 1897.,. SEPT. 9. 1902', with the second block 'COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./ HARTFORD. CONN. U.S.A.' with the Rampant Colt trademark at the rear of the slide. The right side of the slide is marked 'AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS'. The serial number"8736" is located on the left side of the frame above the trigger guard. The Colt "VP" proof mark is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard bow. The grips are decorated with "COLT" in a ribbon at the top and the encircled Rampant Colt trademark in the center. The seven-shot magazine is fully blued and is unmarked on the base plate.

Fine with approximately 50-60% of the original blued finish remaining with wear and thinning on the front and rear grip straps, the front and top edges of the slide and the front edge of the frame. The left rear section of the slide has the name "BINNs" lightly scratched in the metal and the right rear side of the slide also have "B.R. BINNS" scratched in the metal. The grips are fine with no cracks or damage. Mechanically fine. A nice early example of a Colt 1902 Sporting model. From the Will Hoffeld collection.