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LOT 3501
Documented Serial Number
3 Colt Model 1903 Pocket
Hammerless Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Factory Letter -
Serial no. 3, 380 ACP cal., 3 3/4
inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1903, likely on the first day of production, and subsequently converted to .380 Auto with a replacement slide and barrel. These guns were favored by those on both sides of the law during the crime rife era prior to World War II due to their compact size and concealability, and continued to be a popular sidearm for American officers during the war. The left side
of the early barrel bushing slide is marked with
the two-line two-block patent date and address
and circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations.
The right side of the slide is marked “AUTOMATIC
COLT/CALIBRE 380 HAMMERLESS”. It is fitted
with a rounded blade front sight and rounded
top notch rear sight, nitre blued small parts,
checkered hard rubber grips with the Rampant
Colt and Colt scalloped banner, and a full blue
magazine marked “CAL.380/COLT”. The magazine
release does not lock the magazine in. The included factory letter lists the pistol in .32 caliber and blue finish, with grips and barrel length not listed when shipped to Fred Lyon on 21 August 1903 as a one gun shipment (no information available on this individual).
CONDITION: Good as converted, retains 25% of the original blue finish in sheltered areas of the frame and replacement slide and strong traces of original niter blue on the trigger with the balance a smooth grey patina and some moderate patches of pitting on the grip safety and back strap. The grips are fine with a couple hairline cracks in the left panel, some mild wear, and mostly well-defined checkering. Apart from the magazine not latching, mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3502
Fine Early Production Colt Model 1902 Military Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 12721, 38 ACP cal., 6 inch round
bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1905,
this Military Model of 1902 pistol exhibits the early-production
high polish blue finish and rounded hammer which was completely phased
out around serial number 37000, when the numbers began ascending again
from 30200 to 43266. This pistol was manufactured in the first serial number
block descending from 14999 to 11000. The left side of the slide is marked with
the two-line patent date and two-line address arranged in two blocks with the
circled Rampant Colt at the rear. The right side of the slide has the two-line caliber
marking, “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” behind the ejector
port and “MODEL 1902” ahead of it. The left side of the frame has the serial number
and “5” on the left of the trigger guard. It is fitted with blade and rounded top
notch sights, a lanyard swivel on the lower left of the grip frame, checkered hard
rubber grips with Rampant Colts and “COLT” banners, and an unmarked, slightly later production replacement, full blue magazine.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% plus of the original high polish blue finish with the balance having thinned mostly to a smooth grey-brown patina, primarily on the grip straps and high spots, and a few scattered patches of light pitting, mostly around the ejector port. The grips are also fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
LOT 3503
Early Production
Serial Number C4335
Colt Government
Model Semi-
Automatic Pistol with
Factory Letter - Serial
no. C4335, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish,
walnut grips. Manufactured in 1913, the second year
of production of the commercial Government Model.
This pistol represented the cutting edge of firearm
technology and was highly sought after by military
personnel and civilians alike. This particular example
exhibits the early production lustrous high polish blue
finish and nitre blue small parts (except replacement
barrel bushing) and the “GOVERNMENT MODEL”
marking on the front right of the frame which was only
seen until approximately serial numbers C4500-C5000.
The slide on this pistol bears the two-line, two-block
address and patent markings on the left side with
the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right of
the slide has the caliber markings. The rear sight is a
refinished replacement. The barrel is an unmarked later
replacement with polished hood. “VP” and “R” are on
the trigger guard. The early four-digit serial number is located on the right of the frame. Fitted with fixed blade and notch sights, a set of replacement diamond pattern checkered grips, and an unmarked two-tone magazine with lanyard loop on the bottom. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration, grips not listed, as well as shipment to Simmons Hardware Co. in St. Louis on 21 July 1913 as a single gun shipment.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish and 80% plus of the original nitre blue finish with the balance having thinned mostly to a smooth grey patina, primarily on edges and the grip straps. The grips are excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering overall.
Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3504
Exceptional Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Semi- Automatic Pistol with Box
- Serial no. 441904, 32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1924 with standard markings and features. Fitted with checkered Colt banner grips with the Rampant Colt in the center. Includes a hand numbered to match original Colt maroon box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original blue finish with some scattered light edge wear, some light handling marks, and some light spotting on the grip straps. The grips
are excellent with minimal handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with some mild handling/storage wear. Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
SERIAL NUMBER 3
264 Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000