Colt Model 1902 Sporting Spur Hammer .38 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol 1903 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,450
WOA#: WY240217TR006
Make: Colt
Model: 1902 Sporting
Serial Number: 4744
Year of Manufacture: 1903 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .38 ACP (.38 Rimless Smokeless)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked ““BROWNING’S PATENT” / PAT’D APR. 20. 1897”, “COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”, and at the rear with the Rampant Colt logo in a circle. The left side of the frame is marked “4744”, found again marked on the bottom of the slide. The right side of the slide is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT / CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. The bottom of the magazine is marked “PAT’D SEPT. 9 1884”.
Barrel Length: 6”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded blade fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is a rounded “U” notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered hard rubber with “COLT” in a banner across the tops of the grips and a circled Rampant Colt logo in the center of the grips. The grips show scattered marks and handling wear throughout. The checkering has dulled. There are no chips or cracks. Overall the grips are in Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and minor pitting in the bore. The feed ramp is smooth and shiny. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains none of its original finish. The finish has either worn off or turned to a brown patina. The metal shows surface scratches and dents throughout with no major marrs or scrapes. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has little play to the frame. This pistol has a half-cock hammer safety, bronze firing pin, a spur hammer, and the slide serrations are plunge-milled at the front of the slide. The slide was not designed to lock back on an empty magazine. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: One 7 round blued magazine is included. The magazine shows operational wear and scattered minor oxidation with intact feed lips and a strong spring. The floorplate is marked “PAT’D SEPT.9 1884”.
Our Assessment: Colts Model 1900 pistol was the first of John Browning’s pistol designs to reach full production. Such was Browning’s genius that he developed many innovations which are considered commonplace today, not least of which is the concept of “the slide”. As with any new design, there were small hiccups along the way and towards the end of 1901, Colt started changing the 1900 Model’s sight safety, which only offered a fixed sight, to a sight that was dovetailed into the slide to offer windage adjustment. With a few other minor changes, the pistol transitioned into the Model 1902 Sporting and Military Models and into the M1903 Pocket Hammer model, the beginnings of over a century of pistol manufacturing dominance in the U.S. market. This Model 1902 Sporting pistol was made in 1903, with proper features for this serial range including fixed convex takedown plug, second variation slide markings, front plunge slide serrations, spur hammer and the bronze firing pin of the early Colt automatics. All of the early Colt autos are collectible, and the low volume of Model 1902 Sporting pistols produced adds to their collector value with fewer than 7,000 made. This example will make a great addition to any collection. Please see our photos and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
