Page 207 - Auction84-Book3

SERIAL NUMBER RANGE LISTED IN THE BOOK U.S. MILITARY AUTOMATIC PISTOLS (1894-1920) BY MEADOWS
LOT 3384
Extraordinary Original Documented U.S. Navy Contract Colt 1900 “Sight
Safety” Model Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 1106, 38 Colt auto cal., 6 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is just an extraordinary example of a
scarce all original and documented Colt Model 1900 U.S. Navy contract sight safety
Pistol. These pistols are rare and unique in original condition as they represent the
1900 U.S. Government contract of “automatic” pistols that was awarded to the Colt
firearms company. These pistols have a very unique “sight safety” that blocks the
hammer, and they were chambered for the 38 Colt Auto Rimless Smokeless caliber;
both features were later changed/modified or dropped by the military, so original
unaltered examples are very rare in this condition. This pistol is one of the original
250 Colt contract pistols that were shipped to the U.S. Navy in October 1900. These pistols were shipped in five lots, with this specific
example being shipped in the third lot that was shipped out on Oct 29th, 1900, as listed on page 41 of “U.S. MILITARY AUTOMATIC
PISTOLS” by Richard Ellis Publications/Edward S. Meadows. In this third shipment there were exactly 49 pistols shipped in total with all
being shipped to the U.S. Government General Storekeeper, Navy Yard, Brooklyn New York. The right side of the pistol frame is marked
with the Colt serial number “1106”, and the Navy contract number “USN 106” is marked on the left side. The right side of the slide is
marked: “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” in two lines in front of the ejection port. The left side of the slide is marked:
“BROWNING’S PATENT/PAT’D APRIL 20.1897” in a two-line block followed by “COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO/HARTFORD. CONN.
U.S.A.” in a second two-line block ahead of the slide serrations. A small circled Rampant Colt is stamped on the left behind the slide
serrations. A small Navy trident inspection mark is stamped on the right side of the trigger guard bow, with the Colt “VP/Triangle” proof
mark on the left side of the trigger guard bow. The magazine is correctly nickel plated with the floor plate correctly stamped: “PAT’D SEPT.
9. 1884”. The metal parts feature Colt’s beautiful high-polish commercial blue finish, with nitre blued finish on the trigger and stock screws, a color casehardened finish on the sight safety and hammer, and it is fitted with plain walnut grips.
CONDITION: Excellent with 98% plus of the bright original Colt high polished blue finish with minor high spot wear, showing typical minor light storage marks, scratches and nicks in the finish overall. The excellent grips retain most of their original varnish finish with light wear in the center of the grips, both panels also showing the typical light pressure dents and handling marks. This is just an exceptional, high condition, U.S. Navy contract Colt Model 1900 Sight Safety semi-automatic pistol. Don’t miss out on this example as these are extremely rare in this original, truly exceptional condition!
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000
Collector’s Fact
One of only 250 U.S. Navy Contract Colt Model 1900 Sight Safety pistols shipped to the U.S. Navy in October 1900.
205