This is an extremely rare example of one of the Colt Model 1900 U.S. Army contract automatic pistols as purchased in June 1900. This pistol is accompanied by a Colt factory letter dated Feb 2011 that verifies this pistol as being one of 25 pistols shipped from Colt to Springfield Armory on 1 June 1900. Originally there were only 100 of this model ever produced with each of these pistols issued to U.S. Cavalry and Infantry units stationed in the Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico for field testing. The frame is roll-stamped with the serial number "189" above the trigger guard and "U.S." stamped on the front trigger guard bow. The lower left grip panel is stamped with a boxed cartouche of "1900/script JTT", the initials of the U.S. Ordnance inspector Captain John T. Thompson. The right side of the slide is stamped with the one block, two-line Colt markings of "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS", with the left side marked in two lines "BROWNING'S PATENT"/PAT'D APRIL 20, 1897" followed by "COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS M.F.G. CO./HARTFORD. CONN. U.S.A." with the circled Rampant Colt located behind the slide serrations. The bottom of the magazine floor plate is roll-stamped "PAT'D SEPT.9.1884". The pistol has the high polish Colt commercial blue finish on the slide, frame and barrel. The hammer is casehardened and small parts have a niter blue finish. The seven-round magazine has the original nickel-plated finish. The stocks are highly figured walnut with brass screw escutcheons and niter blue screws. This pistol includes a spare sight safety firing pin and spring, a standard rear sight and hammer.

Near mint with 99% of the professionally restored blue finish overall. The pistol, in addition to the bluing, was conversion converted back to the original sight safety configuration (see above). The slide and frame have nice sharp corners and clear distinct markings and proofs. The walnut grips are also near mint with very nice, professionally restamped inspector cartouche and date. The hammer and rear sight also retain 99% of their professionally restored factory case colors and the trigger and locking block retain 99% of their nitre blue finish. This is a beautiful example of a very high quality, professionally restored Colt Model 1900 U.S. Army contract pistol.