Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this SOUGHT-AFTER late-production semi-automatic pistol for a penny-start auction; this is the Colt Model 1902 Sporting!
The Colt Model 1902 Sporting is an exceptionally scarce early Colt automatic, with only about 6,927 examples produced between 1902 and 1908. Its limited production run, coupled with its age and the fact that many were heavily used or altered over time, makes surviving specimens in original condition exceedingly rare today. As one of Colt’s earliest semi-automatic pistols designed by John M. Browning, the 1902 Sporting holds immense historical and collector value, representing a fleeting but pivotal chapter in the development of the modern automatic pistol.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1902 Sporting
Serial: 10902
Date of Manufacture: 1907
Caliber: .38 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 6"
Optics/Sights: Fixed
Stock/Grips: Black Checkered Synthetic
Action: Semi-Automatic Pistol
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt Model 1902 Sporting is one of the most significant early semi-automatic pistols in American firearms history, representing a critical step in the evolution of John Moses Browning’s automatic pistol designs and Colt’s eventual dominance in the handgun market. Introduced in 1902 as an improvement over the earlier Model 1900, the 1902 Sporting was chambered in .38 Automatic Colt Pistol (.38 ACP), a powerful cartridge for its time that offered flat trajectories and impressive velocity. The Sporting model was intended for civilian and sporting use, distinguishing it from the military-oriented 1902 Military variant. It featured a sleek, streamlined profile with a rounded hammer and a shorter slide than the Military version, lacking the latter’s lanyard ring and slide stop. Early examples also retained the integral rear sight/safety feature from the Model 1900 before Colt later abandoned that system for a more conventional fixed rear sight. The 1902 Sporting showcased Browning’s growing mastery of recoil-operated mechanisms, using a simple but robust short-recoil system that paved the way for his later designs, including the legendary Model 1911. Mechanically and aesthetically, the 1902 Sporting exuded refinement and craftsmanship. It was beautifully machined from high-quality steel, with a polished blue finish and finely checkered hard rubber grips bearing the Colt logo. The 6-inch barrel and eight-round magazine capacity gave it excellent balance and handling, making it both accurate and surprisingly smooth to shoot for an early autoloader. Production continued until around 1908, with approximately 6,927 units manufactured—making it a rare and highly sought-after collector’s piece today. Its influence is unmistakable: the 1902 Sporting bridged the gap between the experimental early automatics and the fully matured service pistols that would define the 20th century. Collectors and historians value it not only for its mechanical ingenuity and elegance but also for its role in establishing Colt as the premier producer of reliable, high-performance self-loading pistols in the early modern era.
Condition:
Model: 1902 Sporting
Serial: 10902
Date of Manufacture: 1907
Caliber: .38 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 6"
Optics/Sights: Fixed
Stock/Grips: Black Checkered Synthetic
Action: Semi-Automatic Pistol
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt Model 1902 Sporting is one of the most significant early semi-automatic pistols in American firearms history, representing a critical step in the evolution of John Moses Browning’s automatic pistol designs and Colt’s eventual dominance in the handgun market. Introduced in 1902 as an improvement over the earlier Model 1900, the 1902 Sporting was chambered in .38 Automatic Colt Pistol (.38 ACP), a powerful cartridge for its time that offered flat trajectories and impressive velocity. The Sporting model was intended for civilian and sporting use, distinguishing it from the military-oriented 1902 Military variant. It featured a sleek, streamlined profile with a rounded hammer and a shorter slide than the Military version, lacking the latter’s lanyard ring and slide stop. Early examples also retained the integral rear sight/safety feature from the Model 1900 before Colt later abandoned that system for a more conventional fixed rear sight. The 1902 Sporting showcased Browning’s growing mastery of recoil-operated mechanisms, using a simple but robust short-recoil system that paved the way for his later designs, including the legendary Model 1911. Mechanically and aesthetically, the 1902 Sporting exuded refinement and craftsmanship. It was beautifully machined from high-quality steel, with a polished blue finish and finely checkered hard rubber grips bearing the Colt logo. The 6-inch barrel and eight-round magazine capacity gave it excellent balance and handling, making it both accurate and surprisingly smooth to shoot for an early autoloader. Production continued until around 1908, with approximately 6,927 units manufactured—making it a rare and highly sought-after collector’s piece today. Its influence is unmistakable: the 1902 Sporting bridged the gap between the experimental early automatics and the fully matured service pistols that would define the 20th century. Collectors and historians value it not only for its mechanical ingenuity and elegance but also for its role in establishing Colt as the premier producer of reliable, high-performance self-loading pistols in the early modern era.
Condition:
This example is in Mechanically Excellent condition for its age, showing no evidence of misuse that we can see with the Original Fire Blue is still showing on the trigger and most of the hardware!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
We have an amazing inventory of classic and collector firearms that we are adding to Gunbroker daily. Stay up to date on all of our latest auction by adding us to your favorite sellers list.
About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
