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Antique Colt Pistols

At age 16, Samuel Colt hand carved a wooden model that became his most famous invention, the mechanism that gave the revolver its name. The spool shaped six-chambered device which rotates a fresh round into place each time a gun is cocked or fired changed the development of firearms like never before.

The gun maker leveraged its use of interchangeable parts, mechanized manufacturing methods, and organized production line to mass produce handguns in a way that would become the model for other industries. Colt's Model 1877, the first double-action revolver commercially produced in the U.S., was carried by Billy the Kid. Colt's .45-caliber Model 1878 with barrel lengths ranging from 2 1/2 to 12 inches became a favorite among lawmen and more than a few outlaws.

Later, the turn-of-the-century Colt Model 1900 .38-caliber semi-automatic was tested by the U.S. War Department before the M1911 .45-caliber was adopted for general issue during World War I, laying the groundwork for Colt to own the market for decades to come.

Antique Colt pistols from plow-handled two-shot derringers to turn-of-the-century semi-auto handguns rarely misfire at auction.


Quick Facts

  • In 2014, a .45-caliber Colt revolver believed to be carried by legendary Arizona lawman Wyatt Earp topped its $150,000 pre-auction estimate to reach $225,000
  • In 2007 at Greg Martin Auctions, a pair of Colt Model 1878 double-action revolvers with ivory grips and lanyard swivels topped their $30,000 high estimate, selling for $51,075
  • In a 2013 Rock Island Auction sale, a U.S. Navy Colt Model 1909 double-action revolver sold for $3,500

Recommended Items at Auction

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1922 COLT MODEL 1908 POCKET HAMMERLESS .380 ACP SEMI-AUTO PISTOL
May 18, 9:00 AM MST
1922 COLT MODEL 1908 POCKET HAMMERLESS .380 ACP SEMI-AUTO PISTOL
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$4205 Bids
Stunning Fully Engraved Colt 1902 Sporting .38 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol with Colt Archive
Apr 26, 10:00 AM EDT
Stunning Fully Engraved Colt 1902 Sporting .38 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol with Colt Archive
by Richmond Auctions
Est: $0- $0
$2004 Bids
COLT 1911 SEMI AUTO PISTOL.
May 08, 10:00 AM EDT
COLT 1911 SEMI AUTO PISTOL.
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$6502 Bids
COLT 1903, .32 RIMLESS SEMI AUTOMATIC PISTOL
Apr 30, 10:00 AM EDT
COLT 1903, .32 RIMLESS SEMI AUTOMATIC PISTOL
by William Smith Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$2002 Bids
VERY NICE CUSTOM CASED SET OF THREE NICKEL PLATED
May 10, 10:00 AM EDT
VERY NICE CUSTOM CASED SET OF THREE NICKEL PLATED
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,0001 Bid
COLT 1903 HAMMERLESS SEMI AUTO PISTOL.
May 08, 10:00 AM EDT
COLT 1903 HAMMERLESS SEMI AUTO PISTOL.
by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
Est: $600- $900
$3001 Bid
Antique 1870s Colt Second Model No 2 Deringer .41 Rimfire Early Production Pistol
Apr 26, 10:00 AM EDT
Antique 1870s Colt Second Model No 2 Deringer .41 Rimfire Early Production Pistol
by Richmond Auctions
Est: $0- $0
$251 Bid
COLT 1903 AUTOMATIC, .380 CALIBER PISTOL.
Apr 30, 10:00 AM EDT
COLT 1903 AUTOMATIC, .380 CALIBER PISTOL.
by William Smith Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$1501 Bid
Colt, Mod. 1902 Military Model
May 09, 10:00 AM CEST
Colt, Mod. 1902 Military Model
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€1,6000 Bids
Factory Engraved Gold Plated Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Pistol
May 02, 9:00 AM CDT
Factory Engraved Gold Plated Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $5,500- $8,500
$4,7500 Bids
California Shipped Colt Gov't Model Pistol with Factory Letter
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
California Shipped Colt Gov't Model Pistol with Factory Letter
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $2,500- $4,000
$2,0000 Bids
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Semi-Automatic Pistol with Box
May 03, 9:00 AM CDT
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Semi-Automatic Pistol with Box
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $1,100- $1,600
$9500 Bids
Colt Model 1905 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol
May 03, 9:00 AM CDT
Colt Model 1905 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $5,500- $8,000
$4,7500 Bids
Cased Early Production Colt Sporting Model 1900 Pistol
May 03, 9:00 AM CDT
Cased Early Production Colt Sporting Model 1900 Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $7,500- $12,000
$6,5000 Bids
Colt Model 1902 Military Pistol with Factory Letter and Box
May 03, 9:00 AM CDT
Colt Model 1902 Military Pistol with Factory Letter and Box
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$3,5000 Bids
Canadian Contract Colt Gov't Model Pistol with Factory Letter
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
Canadian Contract Colt Gov't Model Pistol with Factory Letter
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $3,750- $5,500
$3,2500 Bids
Unserialized Production Sample U.S. Colt Model 1911 Pistol
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
Unserialized Production Sample U.S. Colt Model 1911 Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $3,500- $5,500
$3,0000 Bids
First Year Production Colt Model 1900 "Sight Safety" Pistol
May 03, 9:00 AM CDT
First Year Production Colt Model 1900 "Sight Safety" Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $8,500- $13,000
$7,5000 Bids
Engraved Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Pistol
May 03, 9:00 AM CDT
Engraved Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$3,5000 Bids
Engraved, Gold Inlaid Colt Model 1908 Hammerless Pocket Pistol
May 03, 9:00 AM CDT
Engraved, Gold Inlaid Colt Model 1908 Hammerless Pocket Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,8000 Bids
U.S. Property Marked Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Pistol
May 03, 9:00 AM CDT
U.S. Property Marked Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $3,250- $4,500
$2,7500 Bids
U.S. Navy Contract Colt Model 1900 "Sight Safety" Pistol
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
U.S. Navy Contract Colt Model 1900 "Sight Safety" Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $16,000- $25,000
$14,0000 Bids
Scarce Colt Model 1900 Commercial "Sight Safety" Pistol
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
Scarce Colt Model 1900 Commercial "Sight Safety" Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $4,500- $6,500
$4,0000 Bids
Colt Model 1902 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol
May 04, 9:00 AM CDT
Colt Model 1902 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $2,750- $4,250
$2,2500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Antique Colt Pistols


Rock Island Auction Company

Rock Island Auction Company

Hermann Historica GmbH

Hermann Historica GmbH

Poulin Antiques & Auctions

Poulin Antiques & Auctions

William Smith Auctions

William Smith Auctions