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Private Collection Colt Model 1900 Sight Safety Serial Number 1690,
Second
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 1901, the second year of
production and is the second variation of the Model 1900
with forward plunge milled serrations, high polish blue, fire
blued small parts and course checkered walnut grips.
The Second Army
Contract pistol variation was shipped with the sight safety
intact, checked walnut grips, forward plunge milled slide serrations
and is identified by the "U.S." mark stamped on the upper
left flat of the trigger guard and "R.A.C." for Rinaldo A.
Carr (a civilian ordnance employee) on the upper right flat
of the trigger guard.
The two distinct features that differentiate the Second
Army contract from the First are the the course checkered
walnut grips and the forward slide serrations. These
slight changes were quickly implemented by Colt's in
response to some of the criticisms of the First Army
contract pistol. The grips were made larger and
checkered to minimize the gun twisting in the hand and also
to reduce the likelihood of the gun being dropped. The
slide serrations were moved forward so the hand would not
interfere with the sight safety.
This serial number range for this contract included guns in
the serial number range from 1501 to 1700 and they were
shipped from December 28, 1900 to February 4, 1901.
|
MODEL
1900 SECOND ARMY CONTRACT |
| Date Shipped |
Serial Number |
Quantity |
| December 28, 1900 |
1501 - 1550 |
50 |
| January 11, 1901 |
1551 - 1600 |
50 |
| January 24, 1901 |
1601 - 1650 |
50 |
| February 4, 1901 |
1651 - 1700 |
50 |
The purchase of 200 of these pistols from Colt was
authorized by the Board of Ordnance Officer's Report in
1900. They were to be used for further test this
model.
 Colt Model 1900 Right Side -
"AUTOMATIC COLT" over "CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS". Slide
features forward plunge milled serrations.
Right side of slide is marked "AUTOMATIC COLT" over "CALIBRE
38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS"
 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
1690 is on the left side of the frame above the trigger.
Close-up of sight safety and hammer. Also notice the
rough checking and unique design of the checkered walnut
grips that were provided with the Second Army Contract
variations. Sight Safety
- locked in upward position, this functions as the rear
sight. Locked in down position, this functions as a
hammer block safety. The sight safety and hammer were color case
hardened.
Hammer back and sight safety in "sight" position.
 Left grip profile - early Model 1900 pistols were
fitted with course checked walnut grips with a distinctive
unchecked "V" pattern around each grip screw. Grip screws, hammer screw,
pins, trigger, slide lock, magazine release and forward
frame plug had a turquoise blued finish.
 Original Rock Island Arsenal marked "U.S." holster
used for both the First and Second Army Contract Colt Model
1900 pistols.
Rear of Colt 1900 Holster is stamped "ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL"
over "E.H.S."
 Model 1900 Second Army Contract pictured with
original holster.
Model 1900 Magazine Base Plate - magazines were
full nickel plated and marked "PAT'D SEPT. 9. 1884" |
