I'm obliged to Jim H. for alerting me by e-mail to this auction.
One of the 201 pistols made by Colt for the 1907 US Army handgun trials is up for sale on Gunbroker. It was based on the design of the earlier Colt pistols of 1900 and 1902, but in the new caliber of .45 ACP. This is the gun that would evolve into the legendary Model of 1911, which was the issue sidearm of the US armed forces from that year until the 1980's, and is still issued to specialist units.
The cutaway drawings below show some of the differences between the original M1902 and the final M1911 version. The M1902 is above, the M1911 below. (Click the drawings for a larger view.)
The photographs of this historic weapon show many differences between the 1907 prototypes and the final Model of 1911. The external extractor was changed to an internal version; the barrel was changed to a straight version with a bushing, rather than have the bushing integral with the barrel in the form of a bulge; the grip angle was modified; the grip safety was lengthened; the slide stop was made longer externally; etc.
There are lots more pictures, including close-ups, at the link. The quoted starting price is $25,000, which seems fairly reasonable for a weapon of this vintage and this rarity. No bids yet, though. I don't have that kind of money to spare, but a collector somewhere doubtless will.
Peter
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