This is a fine example of a rare and difficult to obtain U.S. marked Colt Model 1902 Military model pistol. The U.S. Army purchased 200 of this model with all pistols being shipped in two lots in July 1902. This example was shipped in the first group on July 15th. This model of Colt pistol is discussed on pages 43-47 of the excellent reference book "U.S. Military Automatic Pistol 1894-1920" by Meadows and the serial number is actually listed in that reference. It has the Colt's high polish blue finish, niter blue small components and casehardened hammer. The matching number slide has checkered cocking serrations about 1/2 inch behind the muzzle. The rear sight is the rounded "half-moon" pattern and the hammer has the early, rounded contour with the heavy knurling. A lanyard loop is attached to the left rear corner of the frame. The grips are checkered hard rubber with "COLT" in a banner at the top of the grip and the encircled rampant Colt motif in the middle. The replacement magazine is blue and marked "PAT'D SEPT, 9, 1884" on the bottom of the high polished blued floor plate. The right side of the receiver has the Ordnance inspector's initials "J.T.T." stamped just above the trigger guard. The Ordnance sub-inspector's initials "R.A.C." are stamped on the right side of the forward trigger guard bow. "U.S." is stamped on the left side of the forward trigger guard bow. The left side of the slide is marked: "BROWNINGS PATENT/PAT'D APRIL 20. 1897" in two lines followed by the two-line address, "COLT'S PATENT FIREARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A." with the encircled rampant Colt motif just below the rear sight. The right side of the slide is marked: "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" in two lines behind the ejection port. "MODEL 1902" is centered on the right side of the slide between the ejection port and the checkered serrations.

Fine with 40% plus of the original blue finish remaining overall with wear and thinning on the grip straps and the majority of the blue loss on the top and right side of the slide. 60% of the bright original nitre blue remains on the trigger and 70% of the original case colors on the hammer. The markings are clear and distinct. The grips are both in very fine overall condition with nice distinct checkering and markings on the sides. Mechanically excellent. This is a very nice, rare, early U.S. marked Colt Model 1902 semi-automatic military model pistol.