This is a beautiful example of a scarce British Proofed Colt Model 1905 Military pistol. This was Colt's first real entry into the semi-automatic pistol field and was chambered in the new more powerful 45 ACP round. This example was shipped to England at some point and received both British proofs along with a small lanyard loop (not staple) on the lower left side of the frame, directly above the magazine release. Additionally there is contract/order number (840) stamped on the butt directly behind the magazine release. It has a "Crown/P" and "Crown/V" proofs on the chamber area of the barrel with a small "Crown/V" proof on the left rear end of the slide and frame. There were only a total of 6,100 manufactured from 1905 to 1911, with this pistol being manufactured in 1909. The left side of the slide is marked "PATENTED/APR. 20. 1897. SEPT. 9. 1902. DEC. 19. 1905" and "COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A." with the circled Rampant Colt behind the slide serrations. The right side of the slide is marked "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS". The upper left trigger guard bow bears the partial Colt "VP" triangle proof and the lower is marked with a "W" sub-inspector proof. The top of the slide has the early small oval front sight with the later oval rear sight, exposed extractor, late thick checkered hammer with the half-cock notch and brass firing pin. It is fitted with the original walnut grips with the factory checkered pattern and the small diamonds around the grip screws. These early pistols have the Colt high polish blue finish with the Colt niter blue finish on the trigger, extractor, grip screws and magazine release. It is complete with an all blue unmarked Colt magazine.

Excellent with 97% of the original high polish blue finish overall with minor edge and high spot wear. The grips are very fine with distinct checkering, showing minor handling marks and a few deeper dents on lower left panel. The various small parts retain 90% of their Colt niter blue finish and the hammer retains 95% of the slightly fading case colors. Mechanically excellent. A really high end condition Colt Model 1905 pistol.