German Luger Collectibles

1905 Colt Cartridge Counter

1905 Colt

Predecessor to the Model 1911, this model was tested in 1907 by the US military. In 1905, Colt introduced an automatic pistol in caliber .45 Rimless it was the .45 Cold Automatic Pistol, Military Model, or more commonly, the Model 1905. This, one of two (acknowledged by factory letter), 1905's modified by Colt with grips and magazine to reflect the number of rounds remaining. A true extremely rare Cartridge Counter. (3009)

Colt Cartridge Counter

NOTE: Photographs taken today with the high mega-pixel camera show more than we sometimes can see with the human eye. Magnified close-ups show us tool marks and natural surface conditions that one normally doesn't see in the ordinary handling of the weapon. Photographs are copyrighted, all rights reserved, any extraction, reproduction or display of gun pictures without the express consent of the Phoenix Investment Arms is strictly prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation. Please visit Legal (tabbed) for Conditions of Sale.

1907 saw the U.S. Army follow-on testing various weapons to adopt as the military side arm to replace the aging revolvers in the new age of semi-automatic pistols. One of the preeminent entries was the new German 9mm Parabellum (Luger) which was modified with grips and special magazine by G.H. Powell to be a Cartridge Counter. Not to be out done Colt produced two of the 1905 transition models with a strikingly similar grip and magazine.


When one loads four bullets into the magazine the red bar in the magazine is depressed to align with the number attached to the grip. An examination of the numbers and the material used for the window with that of the 1902 Parabellum 9mm Cartridge Counter reveals a striking similarity. G. H. Powell is known to have designed and furnished the grips for the German DWM Cartridge Counter so it would logically follow that these were perhaps furnished by Powell's company. Known records do not reflect where the grips or the magazine came from, but Colt verifies that there were only two made/furnished by Colt.

Here's a picture of the magazine with no bullets and then with four bullets loaded. Illustrated is the red bar which is affixed inside the magazine that travels with the number of bullets that are loaded.

Above is pictured the inside and outside of the left grip modified with the opening and the numbers reflecting the number of bullets in the magazine. Slot in the placement of the transparent material over the numbers is very similar to the DWM 1902 Parabellum Cartridge Counter.

In its 1906 catalog, Colt boldly proclaimed this: “The Most Powerful Small Arms Ever Invented.” Early Model 1905 closely resembled the .38 caliber Military and Sporting models which preceded it. No newly patented mechanisms appear to have been used in the first production models of the M1905. Its most distinctive feature was the .45 cartridge it fired.

The Original Certificate with the signatures seal will be included with the sale.

A number of changes were soon added to the pistol; these included an enlarged ejection port, occasional additions of a lanyard loop, and even attachable shoulder stocks (although not evidenced on this gun).

The most visible regular production change came in 1908 with the substitution of a new spur-type hammer for the old rounded burr hammer, a change that was incorporated in all Colt's visible hammer, semi-automatic pistols. While this is sometimes referred to as the M1908, the pistol is the same except for the hammer spur.

The magazine is released by depressing the small concealed handle in the magazine well. This was a rather awkward position to affect a combat reload and was later modified on the 1911 model with the pushbutton magazine release.

In the course of the Army Ordnance tests from 1907 to 1911, this revolutionary handgun was itself revolutionized. The final product, which was adopted by the government as the Model 1911, looks markedly different from the original M1905 and, more importantly, has several functional differences.

The M1905 barrel is connected to the receiver by two swinging links, one at the muzzle, the other at the breech. This tandem barrel linkage accounts for much of the potential accuracy of the M1905. It shoots consistently because the barrel is attached to receiver at both ends, and moves like a parallel rule.

The paired toggle links of the M1905 cause the barrel to swing back and down in recoil, unlocking the barrel and slide. When the slide of the M1905 returns to battery, the two links guide the barrel back to virtually the same position it had assumed in the previous firing. It was this pistol, in a special military contract version, that was first submitted to compete for adoption as the U.S. Army's official sidearm.

The safety features of the M1905 are not immediately noticeable. Indeed, upon first examination, the pistol it appears to lack any safety device. The manual thumb safety found on M1911 pistols is not present on the M1905; nor is there a grip safety.

First, the pistol incorporates a half-cock hammer position. That safety is not so reliable that it should be depended upon exclusively. The second safety, and the key component in this regard, is the firing pin a type of Browning's own design. It is short enough that the hammer can rest against it without pushing the pin against the primer of a cartridge in the chamber.

It is entirely subjective to give any firearm a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few collectible weapons are out of the box new and these are premium priced. Bluing percentages is like Beauty, in the eye of the beholder. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria.We are registered with CA DOJ for firearms shipment.

This 1905 Colt .45 cal Cartridge Counter is in good - very good condition and offered for $68,500.00 over the counter. Although spending the last few decades in generational collections, this one of two Colt recognized firearm, places its owner amongst the rare gun collectors in the world. It's early life shows honest wear from use at the top of the slide from perhaps a holster. This gun may be sold before being posted as such on the internet.

We reserve the right to sell any internet offering to a direct sale and no not warrant the availability of any firearm that does not have a physical deposit. This gun may be withdrawn without notice for in-store sale. Call for availability. Any questions or request for additional purchases email to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com.

LAYAWAYS: Sometimes our "significant other" doesn't understand the beauty, craftsmanship and investment potential of one of these investor grade weapons. In these circumstances where discretion becomes the better part of valor we will accept layaways of up to one year with at least 20% down and some activity occurring monthly to insure that after one year the sale is completed. Cancellations of layaways forfeit 33% if done within two months, otherwise 100%. You can transfer a layaway to a consignment sale atany time. See "Legal" for exact terms.

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We honor a three day return policy. We will answer any questions, send you any pictures, as detailed as you want, to insure that what we are showing you is what you want to see, before you buy it. See Legal.

FIRING ANY WEAPON NEGATES ANY CHANCE OF RETURN!

WARNING: We do not represent these guns as safe to fire. They are not test fired before sale; they are sold as collectibles only. Prior to firing you should have it inspected by a qualified individual and abide by all safety requirements.

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