Make: Colt

Model: 1902 Military

Serial Number: 14029

Year of Manufacture: 1903 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)

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 modified notched 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. Originally black, the panels have gone to a brown color. The grips have minor handling wear with a few small nicks. 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-matched to the frame, but the frame and barrel do not have British proof marks (see Our Assessment).

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bore, mostly at the muzzle-end and in the chamber. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most finish wear is along the slide, more notable on the right. There are evenly scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are scattered spots of light oxidation. There are light tool marks at the pin-heads. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has very minor play to the frame. This pistol has a bronze firing pin. 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 8 round blued magazine is included, the floorplate is not marked (later vintage than the pistol).

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 early example checks a lot of boxes for the collectors with the Browning's Patent slide marking, early slide checkering, bronze firing pin, intact slide wedge and early split slide release. While sales continued through 1928, most after 1920 appear to have been sold out of existing inventory with production itself ending earlier. It also has British proof marks on the slide, though it does not have marks on the barrel or frame as is commonly found on this model. Britain changed their proof laws in 1904, which may explain this marking variation. The pistol's features alone will interest collectors, but this item also comes from the personal collection of inventor, founder and President of Universal Firearms, Abe Seiderman, and may be of interest to collectors for this history. Please see our photos and good luck!