Manufactured in early 1917, this Colt Model 1903 falls in a serial number range associated with the "Nettoyeurs de Tranches" the Trench Sweepers of the Belgian Army. Consisting of small units of volunteers, the Sweepers were granted great latitude to plan and execute their missions, including night raids, snatching enemy soldiers for interrogation, and general mischief and mayhem. While Colt was normally forbidden to sell Browning designs in Europe due to a deal with Fabrique Nationale, that deal was suspended for the war, and as a result a mixture of FN 1900s and Colt 1903s were the go-to sidearm for the Sweepers. Overall, the pistol bears the standard commercial markings, except the addition of an "A" in a diamond, a Belgian military proof Colt was authorized to use on their pistols. The grips are checkered hardwood, possibly field-expedient replacements. Included with the pistol is an unmarked brown leather flap holster, a copy of the October 2008 issue of "American Rifleman" with an article on the Belgian trench fighters, and two blown-up copies of a photograph of an eight-man Belgian squad brandishing a variety of trench knives and a 1903 pistol.

Fair, with half of the arsenal blue finish, showing wear along the high edges and areas of bright gray patina. A number of tiny dings and thin scratches are scattered about as one would expect from a weapon subjected to the rigors of trench warfare, with a number of scratches/rib marks on the left side around the grip. The grips are fair as replaced and repaired, with a replaced section of wood and a filled in round hole on the left panel, light chipping on the right, and signs of hand-working on both. Holster is good, with a line of stitching removed from the belt loop, mild cracks and scuffs, and light verdigris buildup. Mechanically excellent.