Restored Colt Model 1902 Military

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The Colt Model 1902, penned by John Moses Browning, was produced by the Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company in the early 20th century.

The Model 1902 was an incremental improvement upon the nearly identical M1900, and would form the lineage from the preceding model into three related pistols with the same action and cartridge: the 1902 Sporting Model, the 1902 Military model, and the 1903 Pocket Hammer model.

Offered between 1902 and 1928, the Military Model 1902 differed from the sporting version. The grip handle was a bit longer and square-shaped so as to house one additional round of ammunition in the magazine. The Military model featured the mechanical slide stop and had a lanyard loop on the heel of the grip. It was also slightly heavier. Military models produced prior to 1908 (like this example) had rounded hammers, while post-1908 models had spur hammers. Overall, approximately 18,068 total units of the Military Model 1902 version were produced.

This example was originally part of a London shipment on October 28th, 1903, and wears British proof marks.

Highlights:

• Total production Colt’s 1902 Military Model, approximately 18,000 pistols from July, 1902 until December of 1928.
• Early, 3-line Browning’s Patent marking w/ Sept. 9. 1902 date stamping, until late 1904, approx. 2200 mfg’d w/ this stamping.
• Early, numbers-matching frame & slide until approx. mid-1904 production.
• 1st style slide checkering field until approx. late 1905 production change, approx. 3200 mfg’d in this style.
• Case hardened round or “stub” hammer until approx. 1908 production change, approx. 7000 mfg’d w/ stub hammer.
• Type 1, split lower section slide lock used until approx. early 1907 production change.

From A Collector’s Guide To Colt’s 38 Automatic Pistols: The Production History of the “Automatic Colt Pistol” by Douglas G. Sheldon, Copyright 1987:

“The 1902 Military Model was developed in response to the Army trials of the Model 1900. It incorporated features that overcame the criticism from the First and Second Army Contract Shipments. Colt’s had hopes that this model would be adapted by the Army, but after their evaluation, it was rejected and Colt’s produced it only for commercial production. It had a limited production in relation to the length of time it was produced, with less than 1000 units completed a year in many of the years of manufacture.” pg. 95

“Up through the early part of World War I, Colt’s maintained an office in London complete with inventory, to handle many of the foreign sales. While this office was open, approximately 14% or around 2,500 of the 1902 Military Model production was sold through this office to foreign sources… These pistols will exhibit British proof marks on the slide, frame and barrel signifying acceptance in both operation and design.” pg. 118

Restoration Notes:

This example was restored by Turnbull in October of 2023, nearly 120 years to the day after its original shipment, and has been expertly maintained by its owner since. Restoration work included:

• Polish frame, slide and all parts to period-correct high polish finish
• Restore original markings, including London proof house acceptance marks
• Charcoal blue frame, slide and parts
• Color case harden hammer and lanyard loop
• Nitre blue trigger, magazine catch, rear sight, pins, barrel link, screws and takedown plug
• Nickel plate magazine and follower