Colt Model 1909

This is an extremely rare example of an original U.S. Army Test Trials Colt Model 1909 semi-automatic military pistol chambered in 45 ACP. This model is the true transition/forerunner pistol between the Model 1907 semi-automatic and the eventual final design of the Model 1911 pistol and would certainly be a centerpiece of any highly advanced Colt semi-automatic pistol collection. This series of pistol is thoroughly discussed on pages 45-52 in the noted reference book, "Colt 45 Service Pistols Model 1911/1911A1" by Clawson, with this specific pistol noted on page 50 and 51 as being delivered by Frank Nichols and Eugene Reising for testing to Rock Island Arsenal in early March 1910 and then being sent for further testing to the Field Artillery School at Ft. Riley, Kansas, on March 9th. At both locations the tests that were conducted were completely successful. This series of pistol is also described on page 84-97 in the excellent book "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols" by Meadows and Ellis. In there it lists this specific pistol by serial number as having been returned to the Colt factory on March 14th with it eventually being released to Albert Foster Jr. and then sent to T. M. Townsend in August 1911. As noted in the write-up there were approximately 25 of this model ever manufactured in total, (serial numbered 0 to 22 and some unnumbered) which were submitted to the US Government for testing in early 1909. This pistol was a dramatic redesign over the previous Model 1907 pistol with the following improvements, with most of them still in use today on the M1911/A1 pistols: 1)