A rare example of one of the First contract U.S. Colt Model 1900 Automatic Pistols that were purchased by the U.S. Army. This pistol was shipped from Colt to Springfield Armory on May 16,1900. The pistols were subsequently issued to U.S. Cavalry and Infantry units stationed in the Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico for testing in the field. Each pistol was issued with a holster and 200 cartridges. 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 blued screws. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the serial number "99" above the trigger guard and has "U.S." boldly stamped on the trigger guard bow. The left stock is stamped with an illegible cartouche. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" in two lines. A Colt "K" inspection or assembler's mark is stamped on the right trigger guard bow. The left side of the slide is stamped "BROWNING'S PATENT"/PAT'D APRIL 20, 1897" in two lines followed by "COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS M.F.G. CO./HARTFORD. CONN. U.S.A." with the encircled Rampant Colt trademark located behind the slide serrations. The bottom of the magazine floor plate is roll-stamped: "PAT'D SEPT.9.1884". The original sight safety was changed by Colt and replaced with a fixed, conventional, rear sight. This pistol is listed as one of the surviving Model 1900 First Army Contract pistols on page 29 of the 1993 edition of "U.S. MILITARY AUTOMATIC PISTOLS" by Edward S. Meadows.