Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have Colt 1907 Military semi-automatic pistol serial number 49, documented as issued to Troop K of the 10th Cavalry at Fort McKinley in the Philippines for field trials. This is one of 66 recorded survivors from the serial range 1-65 issued for testing, per “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920” by Meadows.
The 1907 incorporated incremental improvements over earlier Colt designs, but Troop K’s field reports were mixed. They noted issues with sears and mechanism, complained the grip safety required careful hand placement, and criticized that the pistol required two hands for many operations. The Model 1911 would address these concerns by making the grip safety longer and wider, and adding a manual safety allowing “cocked and locked” carry.
The frame is numbered “41” over inspector mark “K.M.” Features include long extractor on the right side, loaded chamber indicator on the left, knurled slide stop, spur hammer, grip safety, and checkered hardwood grips with the left panel properly shortened for the lanyard staple. The magazine is hand-marked “R.L.B.” on the floorplate.
Included is a scarce Rock Island Arsenal belt rig dated 1908-1909. The “ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL/1908.H.E.K” marked left-handed crossdraw holster is particularly rare – Meadows documents only about 209 made. The belt is marked “R.I.A./1908./T.C.C”, the saber hanger “R.I.A./1909./T.C.C”, and the cartridge box “ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL/1909/H.E.K.”
The 10th Cavalry was one of the original Buffalo Soldier regiments, and by 1907 they were stationed in the Philippines following service in the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War. Their participation in testing the 1907 provided crucial feedback that shaped John Browning’s final Model 1911 design, which would serve the U.S. military for over 70 years.
Most of our POTDs utilize images from our friends at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms auction in the United States. Take some time to browse their current auctions – who knows, maybe you’ll find a piece of history to take home!
“Documented Philippines Tested U.S. Army Colt 1907 Pistol.” Rock Island Auction, www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4096/1298/documented-philippines-tested-us-army-colt-1907-pistol. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
Managing Editor | AllOutdoor
Writer | TheFirearmBlog Instagram | sfsgunsmith Old soul, certified gunsmith, published author, avid firearm history learner, and appreciator of old and unique guns.
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