Private Collection Colt Model 1900 Sight Safety
Serial Number 61
- 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 Colt historical letter indicates that serial number 61 was a single gun
shipment shipped on April 20, 1900 to Col. Charles W. Miner, address
unavailable, shipped to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Company, Chicago, IL,
April 20, 1900. Colonel
Minor started as an Infantry Lieutenant and Captain in the Civil War. He was
then sent to fight the Sioux after Custer was defeated. From there, he was
sent to the Philippines as a Lieutenant Colonel in the late 1890's; then as
a Colonel appointed by MacArthur as Military Governor of the Island of
Negros in 1900. He retired as a Brigadier General.
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 61 is on the left
side of the frame above the trigger.
Colt Model 1900 Right Side - "AUTOMATIC COLT"
over "CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS". Slide featured plunge milled
serrations.
Sight Safety - locked in upward position, this
functions as the rear sight. The sight safety and hammer were color
case hardened.
Colt Model 1900 Right Side - Slide features plunge milled
slide serrations.
Colt Model 1900 Right Side - "AUTOMATIC COLT"
over "CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS". Slide featured plunge milled
serrations.
Colt Model 1900 - view of sight safety raised in the sight position and
hammer back. Notice the hand checkering on the hammer spur.
Colt Model 1900 - magazine with base plate market "PAT'D SEPT. 9.
1884"
Colt Model 1900 - early style convex plug with high polish blue finish.
Also notice the small hole on the underside of the frame for use when
disassembling the pistol. |