This scarce Colt Military Model 1905 .45 semi-automatic Pistol was manufactured in 1906. This standard Model 1905 commercial pistol has the third style patent markings: "PATENTED/APRIL20.1897.SEPT.9.1902.DEC.19.1905" in two lines on the left front of the slide followed by "COLTS PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./ HARTFORD. CONN. U.S.A." in two lines. The encircled Rampant Colt trademark is roll-stamped on the left side of the slide behind the grip serrations. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped: "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" in two lines ahead of the ejection port. The serial number is roll-stamped on the left side of the frame above the trigger guard bow. The Colt "Triangle/VP" proofmark is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard bow and a "1" assembly mark is stamped on the lower left side of the trigger guard bow at the junction with the grip strap. The slide, frame and barrel have the Colt, high polish commercial blue finish. The rear sight, extractor, trigger, screws and pins have a fiery niter blue finish. The first pattern, round, hammer is color casehardened. The seven-shot magazine has a dull blue body with high polish blue floorplate. The two piece, second pattern, walnut grips have fine checkering with a diamond-shaped space around the stock screw ferrule. Colt manufactured approximately 6,100 Model 1905 .45 semi-automatic pistols between 1905 and 1911. Two-hundred Model 1905 pistols were manufactured for the Ordnance Department for military testing. The Model 1905 pistol was the first Colt semi-automatic chambered in .45 caliber and was a key step in the development of the Model 1911 .45 semi-automatic Pistol.

Excellent. This exceptional pistol is all original and retains 95% plus of the bright original highly polished blue finish overall. There is some minor wear on the edges of the slide at the muzzle and several very small spots of age discoloration around the front sight blade. The delicate, factory high polish blue finish has a few scattered and very insignificant handling and storage marks. At 90% plus of the original nitre blue finish is present on the trigger, extractor, grips screws and small parts. The rear sight has 40% of the fire blue finish. The round spur hammer has 98% of the casehardened finish with strong case colors. The markings on the slide and frame are crisp. The checkered grips are in excellent plus condition overall. The magazine is also excellent with 95% of the original blue finish on the sides and bright blue finish on the floorplate. The most significant wear on the magazine is a 1/4-inch spot of old surface rust on the right side at the junction with the floorplate. This is an exceptional example of a scarce and historically significant Colt Military Model 1905 .45 semi-automatic pistol.