The Model 1900 is very significant as it was Colt's first production automatic pistol and John M. Browning's first successful automatic pistol design. The Colt factory only produced approximately 3,500 of these pistols from 1900 to 1903. This pistol was manufactured in 1900 and it is still equipped with the original (unaltered or modified) rear "sight safety" with sixteen gripping serrations on the rear of the slide. The pistol has the high polish Colt commercial blue finish with niter blue barrel and trigger, and casehardened rear sight and hammer. The right side of the slide is marked: "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" ahead of the ejection port and the two-line, two-block "BROWNING'S PATENT" markings are present on the left. The serial number (329) is roll marked above the trigger guard bow on the left side of the frame. Fitted with smooth walnut grips. It comes with an original and desirable nickel plated, seven round magazine marked "PAT'D SEPT. 9 1884" on the base plate. The pistol is listed by serial number in a chart on page 50 of "A Collector's Guide To Colt's .38 Automatic Pistols".

Very good plus. 25% original blue finish remains in the more protected areas with the balance a smooth mottled gray patina with distinct markings, small dings throughout, and a rougher brown patina on the grip frame. The grips are very good with some small dings. Mechanically excellent. A solid representative example of an early production Colt Model 1900 pistol with the original sight safety.