Cool Colt, a 1905 1903 .32 Hammerless

AirCommando · #1 12-12-2011, 11:19 PM

I recently bought this early 1903 Colt pocket pistol; really a neat gun. All original.

Got this neat box for it.

I have posted S&W guns over on the Colt forum.

crsides · #2 12-12-2011, 11:54 PM

I like it.

Original box ?

Charlie

AirCommando · #3 12-13-2011, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crsides

Original box ?

No, it's a mock up of an early box, not even called a reproduction. It's close, made just for show.

I saw an original box on one of the auction sites...$400 starting bid. This one cost $9.95.

The gun is 100% original though. Born in 1905.

forindooruseonly · #4 12-13-2011, 02:51 AM

Very nice! I have a couple of type IIIs, but I'd like to have an earlier one like yours - I kinda like the older grip designs more.

Iggy · #5 12-13-2011, 05:49 AM

Very nice. That was back when they knew how to make a pocket gun with style.

I have one in .32 and .380. They are really sweet guns.

You got a winner.

CJKarl · #6 12-13-2011, 07:40 AM

Mine is a really nice shooter.

wbraswell · #7 12-13-2011, 09:26 AM

Great score, great little gun. I envy you.

swilli41 · #8 12-13-2011, 10:50 AM

Really nice! You don't see many Type I's in that condition. I especially like the longer, 4" barrel, and the fire blued trigger and safety catch.

AirCommando · #9 12-13-2011, 11:00 AM

Yeah, this one has some good features. The plunge milled serrations were changed to triangle cut later in 1905, the vp proof was stamped on the TG later, too. And there are 4 feathers on the arrow. The recoil spring plug is fire blued too, need the right light angle for it to show. And it has the "Browning's Patent".

AirCommando · #10 12-13-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggy

Very nice. That was back when they knew how to make a pocket gun with style.

I read that there were over 700 operations to build one of these. The action is slicker than butter!

Duke426 · #11 12-13-2011, 11:26 AM

How's it shoot?

Always thought they were a cool looking little gun but never had a chance to fire one.

AirCommando · #12 12-13-2011, 11:31 AM

I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I saw a video on U-tube of a guy shooting one, looked cool!

DCWilson · #13 12-13-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirCommando

I have posted S&W guns over on the Colt forum.

No need to justify or explain. I have long thought that Colt's hammerless .32 and .380 semiautos were some of the baseline guns of the 20th century. To think that any arms company could get design and functionality so right so early in the game on a new model still astonishes me.

I have only one, a late production U.S. Property General Officers Model in .380. It was issued to AF Brigadier General Clarence S. Irvine in 1950.

I really need to get at least a couple more of these, preferably from the early years of production. AirCommando's specimen is one fine example.

pharmer · #14 12-13-2011, 01:01 PM

I had one for awhile last summer and learned a takedown "trick." If you hook your index finger through the front of the trigger guard, you can hold the slide back with the thumb, allowing the other hand to turn the barrel into the lugs. Joe

4011 · #15 12-13-2011, 09:33 PM

I got a 32 an a 380. Used to carry the 380 in my vest pouch instead of the plate. Great shooter. I have some disassemble sheets on the computor if anyone needs one. I'll need to e-mail them to you. This week will be a terror so don't get upset if I don't get back to you real quick.

Ron Roehrick · #16 12-22-2011, 04:10 PM

Terry, thats a neat old piece of history if only it could talk. Ron.

Texas Star · #17 12-22-2011, 04:25 PM

I just saw one of these on another forum that was cased for sale by Wilkinson's, the British sword company. Wooden case, felt (?) lined, with recesses for the gun, two magazines, a cleaning rod and a box of ammo.

These guns got around. I saw one in a British movie set in India in the 1930's. An officer's wife used it against rebels. Capt. Ted Lawson had his wife's gun like this on the Doolittle Tokyo raid, in addition to his .45. He mentioned it in his excellent, "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo", which became a movie.

My dad had one when I was a kid, but gave it to a CPA for help on his taxes. Never got to shoot it. But I read an article in a 1940's, "American Rifleman" that advocated it as a good trail gun for small game. They must be pretty accurate.

I've read that the .32 tends to be more reliable than the .380.
Some of the latter had to go back to Colt for adjustment to the extractor.

If I was better financed, one of these guns would definitely be on my acquisition list, and I made a point of mentioning them in some fan fiction set in the 1920's.

It's a pity that they aren't still made.

BTW, I'm almost sure they have a concealed hammer, not a striker system.

AirCommando · #18 12-22-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Star

BTW, I'm almost sure they have a concealed hammer, not a striker system.

Yes, "hammerless" is a misnomer. They do have a concealed hammer.

Terry

PH-2 · #19 12-22-2011, 06:54 PM

I'll play,

Proofhouse says this 32 is from 1909-1910. It really shoots very well. Not much of the "fire-blue" left, I afraid.

Mike

Dragon88 · #20 12-23-2011, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirCommando

That's a beautiful gun, I love it. I picked up this Vest Pocket earlier in the year and have been looking for a 1903 to keep it company in the safe.

Us S&W types seem to love all fine pistols. Colt made, and still makes, some of the best.

chief38 · #21 12-23-2011, 06:33 AM

I got hooked on these Colt Pocket Models about 15 years ago after shooting a friends 1903 - .32 acp. Now I have my own little collection going. Even with their low crude sights, they shoot fantastic and actually have a nice smooth trigger. Colt was way ahead of their time, if you think about it (1903)!

I just acquired a few of those repro boxes, and while they are obviously not a substitute for the original, the graphics are very cool, and they make a nice presentation and storage box. If I remember correctly, I think they are pH neutral as well. Can't beat 'em for 10 bucks!!

Chief38

Faulkner · #22 12-23-2011, 08:14 AM

Where are you guys getting the reproduction boxes? I need to look into acquiring three or four . . . .

johnsonl · #23 12-23-2011, 10:21 AM

I'm waiting to inherit my .380 Colt. It belonged to my paternal grandfather, a carpenter and WW I Army cook. I have shot them and they are exquisite.

Thuer · #24 12-23-2011, 10:28 AM

That is one very nice 1903 Aircommando. I do have a weak for the 1903.
It is the only pistol I do own. The rest are all revolvers.
Mine 1903 is made in 1939. Probably for the Dutch Colonial Army in Indonasia. (The KNIL) It is in that serialnumberrange.

MFPD 10MM · #25 12-23-2011, 10:46 AM

You are very lucky to find such a nice old Colt. Congrats!

AirCommando · #26 12-23-2011, 10:55 AM

Thanks guys! I thought ya'll would like these guns!

Wyatt Burp · #27 12-23-2011, 11:03 AM

That is a true classic. They pop up in many bogart movies. I don't have a .32 but I have this old ammo.

Raider · #28 12-23-2011, 12:53 PM

That's a real beauty.

Charlie

TACC1 · #29 12-23-2011, 01:08 PM

In an older gun mag, I saw an article by Mike Detty(?),
and got interested. He apparently found that he could get the
1903 in 32 ACP pretty cheap, and then fell in love with it.
He wrote a pretty good article, so when I had the chance for a
similar purchase, I jumped on it. Then I had to get a holster
from robbt here on the Forum....
You guys are right, it's an elegant piece of craftsmanship.
JMB, wherever you are, thanks. TACC1
( The Ren. Wax doesn't hurt the appearance, either.)

AirCommando · #30 12-23-2011, 01:56 PM

TACC1, your holster reminded me...This one was with the gun when it arrived. The seller made no mention of it, and just included it. It is a nice slim one.

It is a nice Bucheimer also, for free!

Love that ammo Wyatt! Especially the French stuff!

I have a partial box of Peters.

Armyphotog · #31 12-23-2011, 06:10 PM

The only thing I like about the repro boxes is that you can house two guns per box, unlike the small original boxes that fit the one gun tight and close.

sureshotbob · #32 12-23-2011, 07:40 PM

I have a few of the repro box's they are made for several type's of pistol. I have them for Colt's and a Savage I can't remember the name of the company that makes them but I got mine from E/bay or Gun Brocker so do a search and you'll find them.
Added info here is the repro box company name is http://rediscovered-shooting-treasures.com

Faulkner · #33 12-24-2011, 10:15 AM

Here's a picture of my 1923 Colt Pocket Model M, I'd rate it in 95% condition.

SASABERANGER · #34 12-24-2011, 11:23 AM

Picked up an early one at our last show. Already knew that it had replacement mag and grips. Now I see what the early grips are supposed to look like.
Found an original mag, but not the right grips yet. And mine does not have much of the original blue shine left. Being a Wyoming ranch gun it has been rode hard and put away wet most of it's long life.
Gramdma took to camera to NJ so no pics for a while.
Nice Find.
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474