This is an example of a rare factory documented Colt Military Model 1902 "U.S. Army" contract test semi-automatic pistol that was manufactured in 1902. This pistol is one of the key models required in any advanced Colt Martial arms collection. This pistol is one of approximately "200" Model 1902 contract pistols actually produced for the U.S. Army that eventually lead to the development and adoption of the Colt Model 1911 pistol. Of the 200 produced; they were shipped in different serial number blocks on two different dates in July 1902, with this pistol being in the second shipment. It is correctly marked with the "U.S." on the left side trigger guard bow, with the U.S. Ordnance inspector initials "J.T.T." for Capt. John Thompson on the right side of the frame with the sub-inspector initials "R.A.C." for Rinaldo A. Carr on the upper trigger guard bow. It has the correct military style square end butt with the lanyard loop on the lower left rear side and sporting style round hammer spur. The left side of the slide is marked with Colt's two-line, two-block patent marking and address markings "BROWNING'S PATENT/PATENTED APRIL 20.1897. SEPTEMBER 9. 1902" followed by "COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO./HARTFORD, CT.U.S.A.", with the Rampant Colt logo stamped behind the slide serrations. The right side is marked "MODEL 1902" directly behind the slide serrations with "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" behind the ejection port. The left side of the frame has the serial number (15195) stamped above the trigger guard bow. It is complete with an original nickel plated magazine marked "PAT'D SEPT 8. 1894" on the base plate. These pistols have a Colt high polish blue finish with checkered hard rubber grips with "Colt" at the top and the Rampant Colt logo in the center of the grip. The trigger, slide stop and rear sight have the nitre blue finish. The hammer and lanyard loop are casehardened. The barrel is blue.

Very fine with 90% plus of the original blue finish overall with some light wear on the top and sides of the slide mixed with some light brown patina on the front edges. These early Colt blue finishes are fairly fragile so there is also some general light flaking of the blue in various areas overall, however this is very common for these early Colt automatics. The markings are clear and sharp. The black checkered grips are also near excellent with nice sharp distinct checkering and Colt markings. This is an exceptionally nice, all original and very rare US Army contract Colt Model 1902 pistol.