Exceptional, Well-Documented, Rare, and Highly Desirable U.S. Army Test Trials Colt Model 1907 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol, Two-Digit Serial Number "85"

A landmark U.S. military trial pistol and a major evolutionary step toward the Colt Model 1911, this Colt Model “1907” is an exceptionally desirable collector piece, one of only 205 ordered by U.S. Ordnance and among the first U.S.-tested pistols chambered for the legendary .45 ACP cartridge.

• Manufactured in 1908 as one of just 205 Colt Model “1907” military semi-automatic pistols
• “Model 1907” is a collector designation, not a factory model name
• Ordered by U.S. Ordnance for continued field trials in the search for a suitable semi-automatic pistol for U.S. Army issue
• Historically significant as an important developmental link leading to the Model 1911 design
• Among the first pistols tested by the U.S. military in .45 Automatic Colt Pistol (.45 ACP)
• Chambered in .45 ACP, the cartridge that became the standard U.S. military sidearm chambering for much of the 20th century
• Most of these pistols were delivered to the U.S. Springfield Armory in March 1908:
  • 200 intended for trial use
  • 5 intended for presentation
• Documented in “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920” by Meadows, pages 52–83
• The majority were issued to various cavalry troops for field testing
• Because these pistols saw rigorous field use and testing, original surviving examples are rarely encountered and highly desirable in any condition
• This specific pistol, number “85,” is listed as a surviving example on page 83 of Meadows’ “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920”
• Also pictured on pages 98–99 of “The Government Models” by Goddard, adding strong published provenance
• Fixed sights:
  • Oval blade front sight
  • Rounded notch rear sight
• Slide markings:
  • Right side has the two-line caliber designation, factory roll-marked
  • Left side has the two-line, two-block Colt patent dates and Hartford address
• Frame marking:
  • Serial number located on the left side of the frame
• U.S. inspection marking:
  • “K.M.” initials on the left side of the trigger guard, for U.S. inspector Kenneth Morton
• Grips:
  • Pair of “diamond” pattern checkered walnut grips
• Magazine:
  • Correct-pattern blued magazine included

A scarce, well-documented U.S. military trial pistol with direct ties to the development of the Model 1911, this Colt Model “1907” offers the rarity, provenance, and historical importance that advanced Colt and U.S. martial arms collectors prize.