Lot 187

Scarce Factory Engraved Colt Model 1902 Military Pistol

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Scarce Factory Engraved Colt Model 1902 Military Pistol

Estimate: $8,500 - $13,000

Starting Bid: $7,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Extremely Scarce Documented Factory Engraved Colt Model 1902 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter Manufactured in 1912, this is an extremely scarce factory engraved example of the Colt Model 1902 Military pistol. According to "The Book of Colt Firearms" by Wilson, only approximately 20 of these Model 1902 Military pistols were factory engraved. It is noted that Norvell Shapleigh Hardware Co. was the largest purchaser of the engraved examples, indicating that many of these engraved guns made their way to the American West, much of which remained quite rugged and untamed, meaning many of these factory engraved pistols likely didn't survive for today's collectors. On p. 416 of that book, they picture the Model 1902 Military pistol with serial number 34737, just one before this example, and it exhibits almost identical engraving to this particular example. The included factory letter lists this pistol in .38 caliber with a 6 inch barrel, blue finish, grips not listed, and factory engraved when this pistol was shipped to Norvell Shapleigh Hardware Co. on 1 July 1912 as one of nine guns of this type in the shipment. The included factory letter lists this pistol in .38 caliber with a 6 inch barrel, blue finish, grips not listed, and factory engraved when this pistol was shipped to Norvell Shapleigh Hardware Co. on 1 July 1912 as one of nine guns of this type in the shipment. Interestingly, on p. 187-188 of "The Government Models" by Goddard, all nine of these pistols shipped on that day to Norvell Shapleigh are listed. They include serial number 30458, 30865, 31593, and 31613 which were not engraved, 31116 and 31521 which were engraved, as well as this specific pistols in a consecutively numbered group of three guns including serial number 34737, 34738, and 34739, all of which were also factory engraved and shipped to Norvell Shapleigh Hardware Co. on 1 July 1912. It is an extremely rare occurrence that one is able to document all of a type of gun in a Colt shipment, particularly one included such a large percentage of the factory engraved examples of a certain model, one quarter of the total being included in this one shipment. The engraving on this pistol was done by the shop of Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht, quite possibly by the master himself. The upper rear sides of the frame show large flourishes of floral scrollwork on beaded backgrounds, a flourish of scroll on the front grip strap, and the bottom of the frame in front of the trigger guard has a starburst. The lower edges of either side of the slide have zig-zag/wavy line borders, and there is a flourish of scroll on the top rear. The left side of the slide is marked with the standard two-line, two-block patent dates and address, while the circled Rampant Colt is at the rear. The right side of the slide has the standard two-line caliber marking. The serial number is on the left of the frame, and the left of the trigger guard is marked with the Colt "VP" proof and "W". It is fitted with blade front and rounded top notch rear sights, as well as a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts and "COLT" banners. The full-blue magazine is unmarked.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1902 Military

BBL: 6 inch round

Gauge: 38 ACP

Finish: blue

Grips: hard rubber

Serial Number34738

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: Very good, retains 30% plus of the original blue finish, 40% of the original case colors on the hammer, and 50% of the original nitre blue on small parts, with the balance mostly grey patina mixed with some blue touch up, a few scattered patches of very light surface spotting, some light cleaning marks on the slide and around the rear sight, and crisp engraving overall. The grips are fine with some minor handling marks and well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000