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, that has been correctly British proofed and also has the rare factory slotted back strap for the early Colt shoulder stocks. 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 late 1907. 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". As noted the lower rear area of the back strap is slotted on each side for the early Colt shoulder stocks. 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 nitre blue finish on the trigger, extractor, grip screws and magazine release. It is complete with an all blue unmarked Colt magazine.

Very fine with 70% plus of the original blue finish with edge and high spot wear with some minor blue flaking overall. The left side of the slide directly over the rear of the markings, is a noticeable patch of extensive fine pin-prick pitting that extends down to the edge of the frame below the serial number, probably from laying in, quite possibly, a leather shoulder stock (absent) over the years. The grips are in very fine with nice distinct checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. This is a very desirable Colt Model 1905 semi-automatic pistol with the rare slotted back strap.