Colt Automatic Pistol and Revolver Information - 25 years of Service to Colt Firearms Collectors

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Coltautos.com Gun of the Month - March 2015
Colt Model 1907 Prototype U.S. Military Trials Cutaway .45 ACP
Number W-42, Internal Number "08"

Colt Model 1907 Military Number W-42 .45 ACP - Interesting Model 1907 pistol with no serial number in the standard location. This pistol has all the original unaltered 1907 pistol design features that existed prior to the Army's request for changes to the hammer, grip safety and ejector port. During the testing of the pistols, the Army asked Colt's to make some modifications to the pistols; they asked for the ejection ports to be enlarged, the grip safety to be replaced with a later style grip safety and the hammer spur to be made thinner.  There was an additional refinement of the sear as the sears were breaking during testing.

Most Model 1907 trials pistols (Serial numbers 1 -200) were returned to Colt's and received a modified grip safety, hammer with smaller hammer spur and nearly vertical ejection port. Auto Indicator to show that chamber is loaded, Auto safety, Strengthened stirrup, and Lengthened trigger stirrup pin.

Model 1907 Military Number W-42 .45 ACP - Right side, cutaway to show interaction between hammer, sear and early first type grip safety.

The marking "W-42" is stamped both on the lower flat on the left stock and stamped in the frame under the same left stock.

Colt 1907 .45 ACP - The frame and slide are both internally marked "08" or "80" depending on how you read it. Mark on the top of frame near disconnector. (Note: frame is on a Plexiglas stand that extends into the magazine well.)

The frame and slide are both internally marked "08".


Frame is cutaway on both sides to show the interaction between the hammer, sear and grip safety. 

Colt 1907 .45 ACP Auto Loaded Cartridge Indicator - to show that chamber is loaded is located on the left radius of the slide.

Colt 1907 .45 ACP Auto Loaded Cartridge Indicator -Small plunger at the 1:00 position to the firing pin in the above photo activates the loaded cartridge indicator on the top of the slide.

Colt 1907 .45 ACP - Bronze firing pin (notice crack in back of pin at 1:00 position.)

 

 

Colt 1907 .45 ACP - Fire blue magazine release.

Colt 1907 .45 ACP - First type checkered and fire blued grip safety.  This part was replaced with a later type grip safety on the majority of the M1907 Trials guns at the request of the Army.

Colt 1907 .45 ACP - Staple type lanyard loop on lower left frame and rear grip strap.

Colt 1907 .45 ACP - with stocks removed to show "W-42" mark stamped on the lower left side of the frame.

Colt 1907 .45 ACP - cutaway hole on both sides of the frame to show interaction between hammer, sear and grip safety.

Colt 1907 .45 ACP - frame with grips and slide stop removed.

 

Colt 1907 .45 ACP - rear of stocks showing unusual horizontal lines cut into the back of the left stock.

 

Colt 1907 .45 ACP - with stocks removed to show right side of the frame.

 

Colt 1907 .45 ACP - View of the barrel from the top mounted on the frame.  The frame and slide are both internally marked "08". Mark on the top of frame near disconnector. (Note: frame is on a Plexiglas stand that extends into the magazine well.)

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