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Well-Documented & Historic One of Only Three “Pilot Series” Colt Model 1905 Pistol Crucial in the Development of the .45 ACP
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE GOVERNMENT MODELS BY GODDARD
Collector’s Fact
This pistol is one of only an estimated three “Pilot Series” Colt model 1905 military pistols produced.
SERIAL NUMBER 02
364
LOT 1465
Outstanding and Exceptionally Rare Documented “Pilot Series” Colt Model
1905 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol Serial Number 02 as Pictured in “The Government Models: The
Development of the Colt Model of 1911” by William H.D. Goddard -
Serial no. 02, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured towards the end of 1905, this is one of only an estimated three “pilot series” Colt
Model 1905 Military pistols that was produced before full production of the Model 1905 Military began. During standard production only 6,210 Colt “Military Model of 1905” pistols were manufactured over a period of six years, making even a standard production Model 1905 quite scarce. The “pilot series” pistols are believed to have been numbered internally 0 through 02, with this example being numbered “02”
on the top of the frame ahead of the hammer and rear underside of the slide. The barrel is numbered “1” on the top between the locking lugs. The Model 1905 is an extremely 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 .45 ACP cartridge, making this specific pistol the third ever Colt production pistol chambered in the legendary cartridge. This exact pistol is pictured and discussed on
p. 88-89 of “The Government Models: The Development of the Colt Model of 1911” by Goddard, where it is stated that it was likely one of these three “pilot series” pistols that was used for the for the advertising in the 1906 Colt catalogue, an example of which
is also pictured. The example pictured in the catalogue shows a three-line patent date marking on the left side of the slide, but otherwise appears almost identical to this example, which Goddard explains. He states that, as with many other prototype examples retained by the Colt factory, this pistol was factory refinished, with the slide likely being restamped at that time with the newer, two-line patent date roll die ending in “1905”. Goddard also notes that the markings on the right side of the
slide also show pre-production characteristics with
“45” in the caliber marking being hand struck deeper
than the remainder of the marking which was rolled
on. Upon thorough examination, writer believes the
aforementioned statement to be incorrect in the terms
“refinished” and “restamped”, in that the pistol has never
been refinished or restamped, but rather finished for the first time
by Colt for display purpose in their museum as the pistol is absolutely original! Along with these less-than-standard markings, the pistol carries the standard two-line Colt address on the left of the slide and the circled
Rampant Colt behind the serrations with no visible assembly, inspector, or proof marks. It is fitted
with a blade front sight and rounded top notch rear sight, a rounded checkered hammer, fully checkered grips without diamond patterns as seen on the production examples, and is furnished with an unmarked full blue magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the
original high polish deep blue finish, 95% plus of
the vivid original case colors, and 90% of the nitre
blue with some scattered light handling marks
and some very light edge wear in a few areas. The grips are excellent with a few scattered light blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This is an incredibly rare opportunity to add a piece of Colt, Model 1911, and .45 ACP developmental history to your collection that you don’t want to miss! Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection. Estimate: 35,000 - 55,000