Manufactured in 1907, this is one of only 6,210 Colt "Military Model of 1905" pistols manufactured over a period of six years. These pistols are 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 1779, was manufactured just after 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 left 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 "1". The blued barrel has two small British proofs on the chamber. It has rounded blade front and rounded top notch rear sights, and the rounded checkered hammer. It is fitted with a pair of diamond pattern checkered grips and an unmarked full blue magazine. Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection

Fine, retains 60% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish, 50% plus of the original case colors on the hammer, and 60% plus of the original nitre blue with the balance having mostly thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on the slide and the grip straps. The grips are very fine with a few scattered minor dings and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.