This is a fine example of a rare factory documented Colt Military Model 1902 "U.S. Army" contract semi-automatic pistol as manufactured in 1902. This pistol is one of the key models required in any advanced Colt Martial arms collection. This pistol eventually lead to the development and adoption of the Colt Model 1911 pistol. There were exactly 200 of this model manufactured, they were shipped on two different dates and serial number blocks on July 1902. This example was shipped in the first block of serial numbers as shipped to Springfield Armory on 15 July 1902, as verified by the Colt factory letter. It is correctly marked with the "U.S." on the left side trigger guard bow, with the U.S. Ordnance inspector initials "J.T.T." for Capt. John Thompson on the right side of the frame with the sub-inspector initials "R.A.C." for Rinaldo A. Carr on the upper trigger guard bow. It has the correct military style square end butt with the lanyard loop on the lower left rear side and sporting style round hammer spur. The left side of the slide is marked with Colt's two-line, two-block patent marking and address markings "BROWNING'S PATENT/ PATENTED APRIL 20.1897. SEPTEMBER 9. 1902" followed by "COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO./HARTFORD, CT.U.S.A.", with the Rampant Colt logo stamped behind the slide serrations. The right side is marked "MODEL 1902" directly behind the slide serrations with "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" behind the ejection port. The left side of the frame has the serial number (15075) stamped above the trigger guard bow. It is complete with the an original nickel plated magazine marked "PAT'D SEPT 8. 1894" on the base plate. These pistols have a Colt high polish blue finish with checkered hard rubber grips with "Colt" at the top and the Rampant Colt logo in the center of the grip. The trigger, slide stop and rear sight have the niter blue finish. The hammer and lanyard loop are casehardened. The barrel is blue.

Fine condition with 40% plus of the blue finish overall with blue loss on the sides of the slide and front and rear grip straps. The grips are very good with nice original wear across the grips. This is a fine example of an original highly desirable U.S. Colt Military Model 1902 contract pistol.