Description
Sometimes, a single firearm tells a much bigger story, and the Colt Model 1900 is one of those rare pieces. Born at the very beginning of the 20th century, this prototype didn’t just mark Colt’s foray into the world of semi-automatic pistols—it helped shape it. With its distinctive “sight safety” mechanism, the Model 1900 wasn’t just a bold leap forward; it was a first step on a path that would lead to some of the most iconic handguns in history.
Now, was the original sight safety perfect? Not quite. In fact, both military evaluators and civilian marksmen found it a bit awkward in practice. But that’s what makes this specific example so fascinating—it represents the evolution in real time. The original slide still bears the sight safety slot, but you’ll also find a neatly cut longitudinal dovetail, now housing a fixed rear sight. A subtle filler block above the brass or bronze firing pin lines up with the rear sight’s cross-pin, showcasing the transitional design in all its mechanical nuance.
Details like a round-top checkered hammer (a nod to future models), and the “1900” stamped left grip panel give this gun its unmistakable character. The inspector’s initials—“1/R.W.W..”—etched into the right grip? That’s a subtle hint that this was a prototype, never meant to be serialized like its production counterparts. It once lived in the hands of Sidney Aberman, part of his prized automatic pistol collection, and its story is chronicled in Bady’s Colt Automatic Pistols (pages 105–107), for those who want the full backstory.
Historically, the Colt Model 1900 marked a turning point. Designed by none other than John M. Browning, it launched Colt into the semi-auto market with a production run of about 3,500 pistols starting in—you guessed it—1900. These pistols served military and civilian markets alike, paving the way for the evolution of automatic sidearms.
Flip the pistol over and you’ll find even more to admire. The left side of the slide carries the early Colt rollmarks: “BROWNING’S PATENTS” alongside the April 20, 1897 date, plus the unmistakable “COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A.” The front of the slide is marked by 16 forward serrations, and of course, the Rampant Colt logo makes its proud appearance. On the right side, “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” sits just forward of the ejection port, followed by serial number #2667.
Its uniform blued finish holds a warm patina that only time can create, while the case-hardened rear sight and hammer add contrast and texture. It’s topped off with a blued seven-round magazine featuring a plain base plate—simple, honest, and correct for the era.
For collectors, this isn’t just a firearm—it’s a story in steel, a tactile link to one of the most pivotal chapters in American firearms innovation. There may be flashier pistols out there, but few have this kind of soul.
