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02-20-2016, 02:16 PM
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Estate sale find: Colt M1903
I was following up on a lead of a Colt 1911 that was for sale at an estate liquidation. Turns out the 1911 was not what I was looking for, but I stumbled on this Colt model 1903 that I picked up at a reasonable price. Serial number indicates it left the Colt factory in 1923. Appears to have been fired very little and has been maintained well for a 93 year old firearm. I already have several of these in my collection but I just couldn't pass it up.
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Last edited by Faulkner; 02-20-2016 at 02:17 PM.
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4011, 475OKH, 6518John, Absalom, alaskavett, AlHunt, bigolddave, Bill Bates, bronco45, chud333, ColbyBruce, Collo Rosso, crsides, Cyrano, damienph, Darkenfast, desi2358, Diamondtreo, dusty3030, eveled, federali, Frank46, g8rb8, Grayfox, H Richard, Isis1200L, JayCeeNC, Jebus35745, jmace57, Joe Kent, JohnRippert, JSW, Kitgun, klind45, labworm, lawandorder, LoadedRound, loknload, Marshwheeling, mauser9, max, mgriffin, MNruss, Model52guy, Muddyboot, Mule Packer, Qball, raljr1, RJJ 1971, SAFireman, SC_Mike, shouldazagged, SilentKnight, StevieC, Targets Guy, Texas Star, Thuer, tops, turnerriver, walter o, Walter Rego, wbraswell, WC145, Xfuzz |
02-20-2016, 02:22 PM
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Probably hasn't seen the light of day in 92 1/2 years..... living its life in a drawer of clean socks........................................
Last edited by BAM-BAM; 02-20-2016 at 03:20 PM.
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02-20-2016, 02:27 PM
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Sure looks like you scored a beauty. I see from my book Colt produced Type 1 through Type IV with changes including bushing and a few other differences. Congradulations on a fantastic looking Colt.
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02-20-2016, 02:28 PM
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Absent Comrade
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Nice find! I wouldn't have passed on it either! 
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02-20-2016, 02:29 PM
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Here is what I find at estate sales.
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02-20-2016, 04:09 PM
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Wow! What a great find!
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02-20-2016, 05:29 PM
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What a creative photo! Thanks for sharing.
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02-20-2016, 05:48 PM
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Did good. Years ago I went to an estate sell because they were selling a 1917 in 45 acp. Anyway got a great buy $250. One of the best buy ever made
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02-20-2016, 06:09 PM
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MIND MY ASKING ?
[QUOTE=Faulkner) I stumbled on this Colt model 1903 that I picked up at a reasonable price.QUOTE]
I admire these too, but don't own one yet. What's a "reasonable price" for such a collectible in great condition?
In any case, WOW!, you did great! Excellent condition. All collectors hope someday to find one that's been hidden away for decades.
Respectfully, Hank M.
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02-20-2016, 06:40 PM
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You must live right to be that lucky. Looks good enough to not shot, but then why own it!
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02-20-2016, 07:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hang-Fire Hank
I admire these too, but don't own one yet. What's a "reasonable price" for such a collectible in great condition?
In any case, WOW!, you did great! Excellent condition. All collectors hope someday to find one that's been hidden away for decades.
Respectfully, Hank M.
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Well, I'm afraid if I said what I paid for it people would start accusing me of stealing it from the poor deceased gentleman who's estate was being liquidated. I'll say that I got it for about half of what it would go for at a gun show.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Star
What a creative photo! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks! Actually, that yeller corn just happened to be close at hand when I was looking for something to prop the gun on for the photo. It gave the photo some color. 
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Last edited by Faulkner; 02-20-2016 at 08:11 PM.
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02-20-2016, 08:11 PM
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I'm retiring in a couple of months, then I'm hitting the estate sales. That's a beauty.
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02-20-2016, 08:24 PM
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Always loved the looks of this firearm. Very elegant design. Great find.
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02-20-2016, 09:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilentKnight
Always loved the looks of this firearm. Very elegant design. Great find.
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They feel even better in the hand than they look. A very classy design indeed. Man, that one is clean!!!
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02-21-2016, 12:07 AM
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I just can't tell you how damn envious I am.
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Oh well, what the hell.
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02-21-2016, 03:18 AM
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Faulkner, I too have a 1923 vintage Colt model of 1903 that my dad inherited from his mother-in-law, who found it in a deceased friend's estate. Since she was the estate executrix & there were no family left, Grandma got her gun so to speak. After she passed, dad kept it under his mattress until he moved into a care unit where no firearms are allowed, so it came into my hands. Unfortunately, it shows marked discoloration and pitting on one side from storage in a not-so-dry environment, but it still functions and fires well. (50+ years ago I used to sneak it out while the folks were in town for new years celebrations & pop off a couple of rounds into the bank behind our house.) It still retains the hard rubber grips with Colt logo.
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02-21-2016, 08:53 AM
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At half price of a gun show you did steal that one. I looked at one and they wanted 600 dollars for a worn and refinished gun with incorrect grips and repro magazine. But it still retained the .380 barrel. Nice gun.
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02-21-2016, 10:07 AM
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If I went to an estate sale around here that pistol would sell for 3 times high retail and there would be an FFL working for the auctioneer charging $45 for the transfer and my C&R is no good in his world. Nice score, a real beauty.
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02-21-2016, 10:24 AM
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Very nice! 
I have one made in 1920. Good shooter, but it ain't nowhere near that pretty.
After so many years tucked away, I do hope you'll give it some range time.
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02-21-2016, 01:23 PM
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That's a beauty. My favorites are the later models like yours that shipped with wood grips.
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02-21-2016, 03:58 PM
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Since you already have a few how would you like to make a couple of hundred on that gun.?
Last edited by moralem; 02-21-2016 at 04:01 PM.
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