Manufactured in 1906, this is one of only 6,210 Colt "Military Model of 1905" pistols manufactured over a period of six years. These pistols were a very important evolutionary step in the development of Colt automatic pistols and the Model 1911 as they were the first production Colt automatic chambered for the legendary .45 ACP cartridge. This pistol, serial number 861, was manufactured just before Colt began fabricating two model room examples of the Model 1905 which would later be submitted to the 1907 U.S. military pistol trials. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line two-block patent dates and address, with the circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right side of the slide is marked "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS". The left side of the frame is marked with the serial number, and the left of the trigger guard has a "VP" proof and "W". It has rounded blade front and rounded top notch rear sights and the rounded checkered hammer. It is fitted with an attractive pair of period, possibly retailer installed, pearl grips and an unmarked full blue magazine.

Very fine, retains 70% plus of the original high polish blue finish, 70% of the original vibrant case colors, and 50% of the bright original nitre blue with the balance some artificial brown on the left of the slide, some scattered light spotting, and some grey patina, primarily on the leading edges of the slide and frame and grip areas. The grips are also fine with minimal handling marks and a repaired chip at the toe of the right panel. Mechanically fine.