Model of 1898 -Prototype

In 1898, Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co. produced a pilot series of 1898, first showing the gun on November 7, 1898. 2 or 3 were manufactured. Colt submitted one for testing with the U.S. Army, which was also looking at semi-automatic pistols of European design. On December 28, 1898 the testing Board issues their report stating in part:

The Board is of the opinion, based upon a careful examination of the Borchardt, the Mannlicher, the Mauser, the Colt and the Bergmann repeating weapons, that the development of this type of pistol has not yet reached such a stage as to justify its adoption in the place of the revolver for service use . . .

It took the U.S military 13 years to find the semi-automatic pistol that justified adoption in place of the revolver.

Development and Design

• Designer: John Browning
• Manufacturer: Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co.
• Caliber: .38 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol)
• Action: Short recoil, locked breech, single-action
• Magazine: 7-round detachable box magazine
• Sights: “sight safety”

Key Features:

• First Colt Production: This pilot series was Colt’s first attempt at using Browning’s 1897 Parallel Ruler design for a semi-automatic pistol.

In 1899 Colt produced a second series of prototype or pilot guns, again only producing 2 or 3.  Serial number 2 pictured below was sent to the U.S. Army for testing. After the rust test, in excess of 4,500 rounds were fired through the pistol with good results in performance. Based on Serial number 2’s performance the Army ordered 100 Model 1900 pistols for further trials. The race to develop an automatic type pistol for adoption by the U.S Military was on.

Development and Design

• Designer: John Browning
• Manufacturer: Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co.
• Caliber: .38 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol)
• Action: Short recoil, locked breech, single-action
• Magazine: 7-round detachable box magazine
• Sights: “sight safety”

Key Features:

• The Start of Production. Serial number 2 was designated by Colt as the First gun made in production of Automatic Type.
• Automatic Colt. Barrel legend changed from “Automatic” to “Automatic Colt”.