Manufactured in 1900, this specific pistol was shipped on 7 May 1900 to Hartley & Graham in New York according to the included factory letter, which also confirms the configuration (grips not listed). The first Model 1900 produced was shipped to A.C. Gould of "Shooting and Fishing" magazine to be reviewed in the hopes that a positive review or any publicity at all would help boost sales of these automatics in a market that was still entirely dominated by revolvers. When the review was published it certainly wasn't glowing, with Gould recommending to consumers to wait until the technology was further perfected. However, he did not hesitate to go on the record stating that "...arms of this type will supersede the revolver." Though the review may not have been exactly what Colt had hoped for, it did help the company to sell 1,500 of the Model 1900 pistols in the first year, with this being one of them. This scarce example shows the early features of the Model 1900 including the slide serrations at the rear, which were replaced by front slide serrations beginning in December of 1900, and are rarely encountered on pistols over serial number 2000. Blade front and notch rear sights, the latter in the original, early, "sight safety" configuration, installed on a matching numbered slide, the two-line/two-block "BROWNING'S PATENT" markings on the left side ahead of the circled Rampant Colt, and caliber markings on the right. Fitted with a nitre blue trigger, early casehardened spur hammer, smooth hardwood grips, and a correct nickel plated magazine with "PAT'D. SEPT 9. 1884" marked on the base plate.

Exceptionally fine, retains 75% plus original high polish blue finish, 80% plus of the original vibrant case colors on the hammer and rear sight, and 50% of the original nitre blue on the trigger with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on edges in the form of mild holster and grip type wear. The grips are also very fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches and retaining most of the varnish. Mechanically excellent. A unique opportunity to acquire an exceptional original example of the first successful Colt semi-automatic pistol!