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B. Meissner Collection Colt Model 1900 Sight Safety Serial Number 110, First
Army Contract - The Colt Model 1900 is the first
Browning designed automatic pistol model licensed to and
manufactured by Colt Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company.
This pistol was manufactured in 1900, the first year of
production and is the earliest variation of the Model 1900
with rear plunge milled serrations, high polish blue, fire
blued small parts and smooth walnut grips.
The First Army
Contract pistol variation was shipped with the sight safety
intact, smooth walnut grips, plunge milled slide serrations
and is identified by the "U.S." mark stamped on the upper
left flat of the trigger guard and John T. Thompson's
inspectors cartouche on the left grip under the date, 1900.
This serial number range for this contract included guns in
the serial number range from 11 to 207 and they were shipped
from May 16, 1900 to June 1, 1900.
|
MODEL
1900 FIRST ARMY CONTRACT |
| Date Shipped |
Serial Number |
Quantity |
| May 16, 1900 |
11,12, 59, 60, 87 - 132 |
50 |
| May 23, 1900 |
133 - 157 |
25 |
| June 1, 1900 |
183 - 207 |
25 |
The purchase of 100 of these pistols from Colt was
authorized by the Board of Ordnance Officer's Report in
1900. They were to be used for field trials of this
pistol. Fifty of the pistols were sent to the Philippines
where they received rigorous testing.
 Colt Model 1900 Right Side -
"AUTOMATIC COLT" over "CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS". Slide
featured plunge milled serrations.
 Colt Model 1900 left side slide markings - "BROWNING'S
PATENT" over "PAT'D APRIL 29, 1897" and COLT'S PATENT FIRE
ARMS MFG CO." over "HARTFORD CONN U.S.A." Serial number
110 is on the left side of the frame above the trigger.
Note fire blued trigger.
 John T. Thompson's inspectors cartouche J.T.T.
on the left grip under the date, 1900.
 Left grip profile - early Model 1900 pistols were
fitted with smooth walnut grips. Grip screws, hammer screw,
pins, trigger, slide lock, magazine release and forward
frame plug had a turquoise blued finish. Sight Safety
- locked in upward position, this functions as the rear
sight. The sight safety and hammer were color case
hardened.
 Original Rock Island Arsenal marked "U.S." holster
for the Model 1900 First Army Contract.
 Model 1900
First Army Contract pictured with
original holster.
 Model 1900 Magazine Base Plate - magazines were
full nickel plated and marked "PAT'D SEPT. 9. 1884" |
