Make: Colt

Model: 1902 Sporting

Serial Number: 6833

Year of Manufacture: 1904

Caliber: .38 ACP (.38 Rimless Smokeless)

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

Barrel Length: 6”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short 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 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. The grips have minor handling wear. There are some scattered small nicks, scratches, and minor scuffing. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, the slide is serial-matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion and stubborn copper fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7-8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 75% of its metal finish. The slide wedge's indexing stud is intact. There is fairly evenly scattered light finish wear. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a little more notable scuffing on the bottom of the dust cover. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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, marked "PAT'D SEPT. 9 1884" on the floorplate.

Our Assessment: Colts Model 1900 pistol was the first of John Browning’s pistol designs to reach full production. Such was Browning's genius that he developed many innovations which are considered commonplace today, not least of which is the concept of "the slide". As with any new design, there were small hiccups along the way and towards the end of 1901, Colt started changing the 1900 Model's sight safety, which only offered a fixed sight, to a sight that was dovetailed into the slide to offer windage adjustment. With a few other minor changes, the pistol transitioned into the Model 1902 Sporting and Military Models and into the M1903 Pocket Hammer model, the beginnings of over a century of pistol manufacturing dominance in the U.S. market.

This Model 1902 Sporting pistol was made in 1904, with proper features for this serial range including plunge-milled front slide serrations, rounded hammer (correct for odd-number serials in this range, and a "Browning's Patent" marking on the left slide legend. The pistol is in Very Good overall condition with about 75% of its original metal finish remaining. The bore is in decent shape, especially given the age of the pistol, and the mechanics are strong. All of the early Colt autos are collectible, and the low volume of Model 1902 Sporting pistols produced adds to their collector value with fewer than 7,000 made. This example, with so much original finish remaining, will make a great addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!