This is a solid example of an early Colt Model 1900 "sight safety" pistol that was manufactured late 1900/1901. This model is a very historically significant Colt pistol as it was their very first semi-automatic production pistol as designed by John M. Browning. Colt produced approximately 3,500 of these pistols from 1900 for commercial sales as well as for the Army and Navy contracts. The unique aspect of this design was the rear sight safety, which was very short lived and very scarce as the majority of all the first models were altered to the later "fixed rear" sight model. Consequently making these early unaltered models very rare. The left side of the slide is marked with the early Colt two-line/two-block markings of "BROWNING'S PATENT"/PAT;D APRIL 20.1897" followed by the "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 circled Rampant Colt logo on the left rear side. The serial number "1497" is stamped on the frame above the trigger and on the underside of the slide. The right side of the slide is marked "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" ahead of the ejection port. The pistol has an all blued metal finish, a color casehardened rear sight and hammer. It is fitted with early smooth walnut grip panels (which has been checkered) with blued screws and brass escutcheons. It is complete with a blued seven round magazine marked "PAT'D SEPT 9 1884" on the bottom.

Very good with 80% plus of an old dull reblued finish still remaining overall. The flats are still square, however, some of the rounded areas are a little over polished. The markings, although readable, are a little faint in some areas. The second contract military style replacement grips are also in very good condition. A representative, good looking early Colt Model 1900.