Manufactured in 1905, the first year of production, 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. 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 "1". It has rounded blade front and rounded top notch rear sights, and the rounded checkered hammer. It is fitted with a pair of replacement diamond pattern checkered grips, an unmarked full blue magazine, and the back strap is cut for a combination shoulder stock/holster. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as having been furnished with a combination shoulder stock/holster when it was shipped to Colt's London Agency on 18 December 1905. This pistol is listed on p. 216 of "The Government Models: The Development of the Colt Model of 1911" by Goddard, confirming the shipping date, as well as being the first Model 1905 listed as being cut for a shoulder stock. Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection

Very good, retains 40% of the original blue finish on the frame with the balance having primarily a smooth artificial brown finish on the once buffed slide. The grips are also very good with some scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent.