This is an original example of a Colt Model 1900 Semi-Automatic Pistol that was manufactured in 1900. The pistol retains the highly desirable sight/safety combination found only on the approximately 700 pistols manufactured in the first year of production. In addition, the pistol has the early production slide with rear grip serrations and the smooth, varnished walnut grips used until mid-1900. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" ahead of the ejection port. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped, "BROWNINGS PATENT / PAT'D APRIL 20. 1897", in two lines followed by "COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO. / HARTFORD. CONN. U.S.A." in two lines. A small, encircled, Rampant Colt trademark is stamped behind the left slide serration. The serial number, "230" is stamped on the left side of the frame above the trigger guard bow and on the bottom internal rear side of the slide. The pistol has a commercial blue finish with casehardened hammer and sight safety. The walnut grips have nickel-silver escutcheons and plated screws. The seven-shot magazine is nickel-plated and stamped: PAT'D SEPT.9.1884 on the floor plate.

Fine. The pistol is all original and retains 30% of the original blue finish which is mostly contained in the protected areas on the slide and frame. The balance of the pistol has a dark, silver-gray, patina. The slide and frame have some scattered light pitting and age discoloration. Traces of the original case colors are present on the spur hammer and sight/safety. The grips are in good condition with light handling marks. The magazine is in very good condition with nearly 85% of the original nickel-plated finish. The markings on the slide, frame and magazine are sharp. The pistol and unique sight/safety function well. This is a very rare example of an early production, unaltered Colt Model 1900 Semi-Automatic. As the very first of the Colt/John M. Browning automatic pistols, this pistol would be a key piece in any Colt or semi-automatic pistol collection.