Colt 1902
Military Model
Date 1915
Serial No: 37957
Calibre .38 ACP (9 x 23mm SR)

£1,400

Very Good Condition

The Model 1902 is a semi-automatic pistol developed by the 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 & 1903 Pocket Hammer models featured a different serial range.

The 1902 Military Model featured a square and lengthened grip frame with an additional round in the magazine, while the 1903 Pocket Hammer featured a shortened barrel and slide but retained the Sporting model grip frame.

The production run for the 1902 Military Model was 18,068 pistols manufactured between 1902 and December 1927, and they were shipped from the factory between July 1902 and December 1930.

About 2,100 of the Military Models were shipped to the UK.

While the Colt Model 1902 Military was never a standard-issue weapon for the British Army, it saw notable use through private purchases by British officers during the early 20th century

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Private Purchase
Before and during World War I, British officers were required to buy their own sidearms. Many chose the Colt 1902 over the standard Webley Revolver due to its modern semi-automatic action and slim profile.
British Proof Marks: Approximately 2,100 units of the Military Model were shipped to the UK.
Genuine examples used by British personnel typically bear London proof stamps on the frame and barrel.

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Equipment & Accessories
Holsters: Special Pattern 1908 webbing holsters were manufactured specifically for the Colt 1902 semi-automatic pistol.

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This example was from a batch 50 pistols shipped to the London Armoury Company on the 27th July 1915

Given the 1915 shipping date to the UK, this example was most probably a WWI Officer Private Purchase

Fitted with the spur hammer, which was first used from serial number 30900, hard rubber grips and stamped with London Proof & View marks.

Good Bore

Suitable for Section 7(1)

This is the .38ACP Cartridge which is different from the .380ACP

The .38 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), also known as the .38 Auto, .38 Automatic, or 9×23mmSR, is a semi-rimmed pistol cartridge

The .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), also known as .380 Auto, .380 Automatic, or 9×17mm, is a rimless, straight-walled pistol cartridge.
Other names for .380 ACP include 9mm Browning, 9mm Corto, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Short, and 9mm Browning Court

Authority Required: Section 5 or FAC Section 7 (1) or 7 (3)