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“The Colt’s Model 1971, a new automatic pistol, provides as significant an advance in firearms technology as our Model 1911 did in World War I.”
-from Colt’s 1970 Published Technical Report.
Collector’s Fact
This pistol is serial number X1 and one of approximately only 30-50 Colt Model 1971 pistols produced.
SIMILAR EXAMPLE PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK U.S. MILITARY AUTOMATIC PISTOLS (1945-2012) BY MEADOWS
LOT 1527
Rare Prototype Serial Number “X1” Colt SSP Double Action Semi-Automatic Military Style Trials Pistol in 9mm NATO - Serial no. X1, 9 mm NATO cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., stainless steel finish, polymer grips. First developed by Colt as the Model 1971, with approximately 30-50 being manufactured, this model would become the Stainless
Steel Pistol (SSP) and was conceived as a way to get the jump on a future U.S. military handgun request. Before any formal requirements had been fielded, the company had managed to develop a solid read on the then-current trends in firearms, particularly the rise of what would later be dubbed the “Wonder Nine”, the 9mm double-stack double-action semi-automatic pistol. While the knockdown force of the 45 ACP had (and still has) its adherents, the appeal of being able
to standardize to the 9x19mm NATO cartridge and get a 13+ round magazine capacity in the process was rather broad. Colt’s read on the Wonder Nine was a radical departure from the 1911A1, completely changing much of the internal configuration and external appearance. The slide is secured with a set of full length external frame rails, and the barrel via a link-free ramp assembly, while the hammer and mainspring are configured as a one-piece “en block” assembly that can be slid out of the frame for maintenance and repair. The SSP had an additional feature, specifically that it was designed to be convertible between 9x19 NATO and 45
ACP with just a few parts. While this option was not part of the later XM9/XM10 trial requirements, the post-XM9 trials for a SOCOM-particular .45 handgun and
the recent American adoption of the caliber convertible Sig-Sauer M17/M18 to replace the Beretta M9 (which beat out the SSP and others at the XM9/XM10 trials) makes this seem like a nearly prescient move. Following the trials no commercial production was pursued, and the SSPs made for the trials were either tested to death, given to VIPs as gifts, or disappeared into the American logistics system, and
few can be found today. This SSP is unmarked on the slide and barrel. Sights are blade front and square notch rear, with the rear dovetailed into place and the front mounted directly to the slide. Mechanical features include a right handed pin- blocking safety, right handed slide catch and magazine release, smooth trigger, serrated grip strap, and a pair of smooth grip panels. This example in particular shows some signs of being a very early, if not the very first, prototype produced
by Colt. A couple of these being, the more rounded trigger guard which was
later modified to a more squared design to facilitate two-handed shooting,
no high polish finish to the steel, and the lack of the bevel and rib on the slide, which is visible on later prototypes. These features, along with the experimental serial number “X1” on the right of the frame along with the Colt address certainly add credence to our belief that this was Colt’s very first functioning prototype of their revolutionary SSP pistol. Includes a factory box with label hand numbered to the gun, a plastic Colt hard case, and an operator/maintenance manual. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, showing some scattered light handling marks on the matte stainless steel finish. The grips are also excellent with a few scattered very light handling marks. Mechanically functions fine with the
exception of weak trigger return spring and magazine catch, which
allows the magazine to drop.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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