Colt Sporting Model of 1902, Rare Blue 6” Long Slide Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1904 C&R
Sold For: $1,460.00
LSB#: 160822ST01
Make: Colt
Model: Sporting Model of 1902
Serial Number: 9600
Year of Manufacture: 1906
Caliber: .38 A.C.P. (.38 Auto)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED / APR. 20.1897. SEPT. 9.1902.”, “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 “9600”. The right side of the slide is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT / CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with “1”. The number “42475” is scratched into the surface at the top of the front strap.
Barrel Length: 6”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a thin 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 smooth walnut with brass grip screw escutcheons. The grips show several drag lines and dings, with a few tool marks below the lower grip screw in the left grip and wear marks around the edges of the lower grip screw escutcheon in the right grip. The grips are in about Very Good overall Condition.
Type of Finish: The finish on the pistol is blued. The trigger still retains most of its fire blue finish.
Finish Originality: The finish is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is a mottled bright/dull with very light wear in the rifling. There are spots of light erosion in the grooves of the bore, but we didn’t see any in the lands.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 35% of its metal finish. There is surface loss on the left side and top of the slide, the front strap and backstrap, with thinning in the remaining areas. There is pinprick surface erosion scattered over the slide, and the underside and sides of the frame. There is a deep ding in the underside front edge of the frame, light scratches on both sides of the slide, multiple tiny dings and scratches in the underside of the frame and a few small scratches at the top of the front strap. The slide serrations show several tiny nicks in their edges. The hammer checkering shows light wear. The upper left grip screw is disfigured. The markings on the left side of the slide are badly worn and barely readable in spots. Overall, this handgun rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, and the slide is tight to the frame. This pistol has a half-cock hammer safety, a round spur-less hammer (typical of guns made after 1904), and the slide serrations are at the back of the slide (late model). The slide does not 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 thinning with surface loss in its spine. The floorplate shows light surface frosting and its front lip has a large bruise and is slightly bent. The magazine is in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: From Wikipedia: “The Model 1902 is a semi-automatic pistol developed by famous American firearms designer John Browning and produced by the Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company in the early 20th century. The Model 1902 was not a new design, but rather an incremental improvement upon the nearly identical M1900, and would transition from the 1900 into three distinct but related pistols with the same action and cartridge: the 1902 Sporting Model, the 1902 Military model, and the 1903 Pocket Hammer model. The 1902 Sporting model was so similar to the 1900 that it continued the serial number range, while the 1902 Military Model featured a different serial range, as did the 1903 Pocket Hammer model. The 1900 and 1902 pistols were chambered in .38 ACP, and the first commercial loadings were judged too hot, and the loadings were reduced to achieve just under 1100 fps. with a 130 gr. bullet. The popularity of the 1902 pistol waned after the Colt 1911 model came out with improved features and a hotter cartridge, although the 1903 model kept alive until the late 1920’s.”. This is a Colt Sporting Model of 1902 pistol with a 6” barrel and chambered in .38 ACP. The pistol is in about Good condition with 35% of its original finish remaining. The bore is a mottled bright/dull with very light wear in the rifling and spots of light erosion in the grooves. The hard rubber grips have been replaced with slabs of smooth walnut. While the finish and replacement grips may detract from the enthusiasm some collectors would have towards this pistol, the low volume of pistols produced will still make this pistol of interest to the collectors.
