This is a beautiful all original, excellent condition Colt commercial Model 1905 Military pistol. This was Colt's first real entry into the semi-automatic pistol field with a gun that was chambered the new 45 ACP round. This exact model was the true forerunner to the Model 1911 series of pistol, which as we know ushered in 80 years of Colt Model 1911 production. This pistol is accompanied with a Colt factory letter dated April 1987 that lists this pistol in this exact configuration as being sold in November 1909, and shipped to Montgomery Ward & Co. Chicago Ill. It was one of the pistols in a three gun shipment. The right side of the slide is marked "AUTOMATIC COLT / CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" in front of the ejection port, and the left side is marked in two blocks "PATENTED / APR. 20. 1897. SEPT. 9. 1902. DEC. 19. 1905." and "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." with the circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The serial number is located on the left side of the frame above the trigger guard bow. The upper left trigger guard bow bears the Colt "VP/triangle" proof and the lower is marked with a "W". Early spur hammer version with half-cock notch and casehardened finish. The grips are that early light colored checkered walnut versions with the diamond pattern around the screws. The pistols has the Colt high-polish blue finish overall with the trigger, extractor and magazine release, having the Colt niter blued finish. It is complete with one later production all blued magazine.

Excellent overall with 97% of the original Colt high polished blued finish overall, with wear on the edges and high spots with some light nicks on the front grip strap with slightly more wear around the edges and magazine spring screw retention hole on the rear grip strap. The trigger and extractor retain 95% of their niter blued finish. The hammer retains 90% of the original vivid case colors. The grips have a nice matching color on both sides with excellent checkering overall with some slight wear or flatness on the top of the diamonds in the center of each grip panel. Mechanically excellent.