Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! In 1910, as Colt was finalizing the Model 1911 design, they developed a smaller version chambered in 9.8mm (later also in .38 ACP) to target European and commercial markets. This experimental pistol was approximately 90% the size of the standard 1911, featuring a 4.68-inch barrel versus the 1911’s 5-inch barrel. It became the Colt Model 1910. Only five examples were produced, with four being serial numbered. The pistols were used to demonstrate Colt’s capabilities in European military trials and as leverage in negotiations with FN over market territories. While performing well in British and Romanian trials, the design was never adopted or put into production. The pistol featured unique characteristics, including a frame too small to accept standard 1911 magazines and no interchangeable parts with its larger sibling. One example, Serial Number 4, was refinished in 1929 for Colt’s museum when the company introduced the .38 Super 1911. Though commercially unsuccessful, the design previewed the concept of a reduced-size 1911 platform decades before it became popular.
“The 9.8 MM Experimental Pistol is a scaled down copy of the very rare Colt Model 1910 .45 ACP Pistol. The slide is shorter and narrower and the 4 1/2 inch barrel has four concentric locking rings. The hammer has flat sides and a checkered spur. The slide has the early rounded rear sight. The slide stop and safety lock appear to be Colt Model 1911 Special Army components. The magazine is a modified Model 1902 Military magazine with un-marked floor plate and a full blue finish. The checkered walnut grips have small diamonds surrounding the screws and are similar to those on the Model 1911 Special Army. The pistol has the high polish Colt commercial blue finish on major components and the bright niter blue finish on the rear sight, hammer, slide lock, trigger and other small components. “
Lot 3554: Experimental Colt Model 1910 9.8 MM Pistol Serial Number 4. (n.d.). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/56/3554/experimental-colt-model-1910-98-mm-pistol-serial-number-4.
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