Make: Colt

Model: Military Model of 1902

Serial Number: 39839

Year of Manufacture: 1917

Caliber: .38 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 6”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a white bead fixed to the top of the slide; the sight is not original to the gun. The rear sight is a rounded-top “U” notch dovetailed into the slide, the notch has been widened a little.

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. Originally black, the grips have gone to a slight brown color, more notable on the right panel. The grips have even light-moderate handling wear. There are some light nicks and small scratches. The checkering shows wear, but is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Most remaining finish is Original, some worn areas show treatment with cold blue.

Bore Condition: The bore is grey. The rifling is well defined, sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is light erosion and some minor pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered minor chemical erosion through the finish, mostly small spots. There is scattered wear on the top and right of the slide that has been touched-up with cold blue. There are scattered light nicks, small scratches and scuffing. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The slide wedge's indexing stud is intact. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 8-round two-tone magazine marked "MIL. / COLT / 38 CAL." on the floorplate.

Our Assessment: The 1902 is one of the most beautiful handguns ever made and an important link along the evolution line of the 1911. This example is in Good-plus condition, retaining about 65% of its original metal finish and some worn areas treated with cold blue. This example was produced in 1917, in the later portion of production. While sales continued through 1928, most after 1920 appear to have been sold out of existing inventory with production itself ending earlier. This 1902 military is a neat find for the Colt pistol collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!