Colt 1900 or 1902??

[FTWJim]

I stumbled on to this old Colt and, not being a collector and in the know like you guys, I am trying to puzzle out the basic question of Model #. Here's the problem, some books (Blue Book for one) list Model 1900 through #4274 and some say around #3500. As mine is #36XX, this is a pretty good question when it comes to value. I will probably get the factory letter to resolve this but I am appreciative of any info someone may be able to share. I have had an estimate of 75% finish left but don't know how to describe this to a buyer, other than functional, decent bore, appears to be all original.

Colt Model 1900 007.jpg

Colt Model 1900 011.jpg

Any suggestions?? Idea of current market value?

Thanks for looking.

Jim

[larryb21556]

I can't help with value as I haven't bought one lately, but you can tell the 1900's by the 1897 patent date. 1902's have the 1902 patent date added. your 1900 appears to have been converted from the 1900 sight safety version to the 1902 style. These typically bring 1/2 of what a comparable 1900 sight safety will.

[FTWJim]

Thanks, Larry. I thought the patent date was a pretty good clue, then read another description that contradicted the first one. Something about the left over 1900 slides being used for the new run designated 1902's.

[larryb21556]

I hadn't heard that one, but I guess anything is possible.

[jbs4570]

According to Mr. Sheldon's book, the 1902 date was not added until about serial number 5000. From 4275 to 5000 (about 725 pistols) have only the 1897 date. I have #449x. The last date is 1897 and the back end of the slide was never milled for the sight safety. Hope this helps. Thanks, Joe

Ref: Colt's .38 Automatic Pistols Douglas G. Sheldon

[FTWJim]

Mine was not milled for the sight safety either. It has a standard looking fixed rear sight.

[rhmc24]

The serial number of the slide should be visible on the underside about underneath rearsight and pin for the firing pin are. Easiest to see by removing the slide, possibly visible by pulling/holding slide back. The number is rather deep in one of the recesses on the side. It should have a number in the 5-7000 range for a Sporting. If the number is different from the frame number you have a homogenized gun.

The Sporting slide removal is done by pushing the button below the muzzle and pushing the slide lock from the right side to left. If the slide lock is not released, you may have a 1900 frame which may require inserting a heavy wire in the pinhole below the front bottom of the frame. 1900/02s all have the hole.

Keep in mind that all the 1900, 1902 Sportings and Military models can interchange slides and frames. This makes mixed models possible over the century+ they have been around. I have a mixed one practically identical with S/Ns in the 5000s only 8 digits apart.

[FTWJim]

Great tip on the slide # location! Many thanks, I will check that after work today.

[FTWJim]

BTW, I plan to go to the Ft Worth gun show this Saturday and try to get more info and possibly an offer on this piece. If questioned about price, I plan to start bargaining at 3,000. Think that's reasonable for this market/ piece or too high?

[tedm]

The Colt Automatic Pistol #36xx IS a model 1900 38 acp with the sight safety altered. The sporting model officially was a continuation of the model 1900 except that the slide filler was used up at #4274. The 1902 sporting was used to differentiate from the 1902 Military. Colt did not use this model designation, however.

Ted