The Model 1900 is a very significant pistol as it was Colt's first production semi-automatic pistol and John M. Browning's first fully successful semi-automatic pistol design, with Colt only producing 3,500 of these pistols from 1900 to 1903. As noted this example has an early three-digit serial number "326", placing manufacture of this pistol in 1901. It has the rare and very unique rear sight/safety still intact and unaltered (as most were converted to a fixed rear sight). The left side of the slide is marked with the early Colt two line/two block markings of ["BROWNINGS PATENT'S"/PAT.'D APRIL 20.1897"] followed by "COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A.". The rear end of the slide has early sixteen serrations followed by the encircled Colt Rampant Horse logo on the left rear side. The serial number "326" is stamped on the frame above the trigger. The right side of the slide is marked "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" ahead of the ejection port. The pistol had the Colt high polished commercial blue finish with niter blue barrel and trigger, casehardened rear sight and hammer. It is fitted with the correct, early smooth walnut grip plates with the niter blue screws and brass escutcheons. It is complete with a nickel plated, seven round magazine marked "PAT'D SEPT 9 1884" on the bottom.

Very fine to near excellent with 85% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish remaining overall with light general blue loss and thinning overall, with a very minor light spot of oxidation on the right side of the slide under the ejection port with some flaking of the blue finish on the rear of the slide, mixed with some general light scratches on top. The walnut grips are in very fine condition showing that early almost figurative walnut on each side with minimal handling marks overall. This is a really great example of an early Colt Model 1900 Sight Safety semi-automatic pistol.