Sometimes I have to tell myself that Smith and Wessons are my favorite brand!! I was doing some cleaning in the safe today, and was struck by the fact that both of these little Colts date from about 1925:



Of course the top one is a .32 ACP Colt model of 1903, and the lower is the .25 ACP Colt model of 1908. These were very popular guns from their introduction through WWII, and the .32 was an issue arm for general officers of all branches through the Vietnam Nam era. I was lucky to find both of these in really nice shoot able condition at relatively reasonable prices a few years ago, and have a lot of fun with them.

They are in just about the condition that I love. Well preserved, with shiny bores, function flawlessly, and yet are not so pristine that I am afraid to shoot them. I don't need any firearms that I am not comfortable shooting. I have shot both of these two extensively, and they are great shooters.

I am also a big fan of "film noir", and also the 1930s and 1940s cops and robbers or "gangster" movies, so these little guns fit right in.

Is anyone else interested in these vintage firearms?? I have more and if you'll show me some of yours, I'll try to round up a couple more to post!!

Best Regards, Les

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As you know my vintage revolvers are British, so I can't play here. I do love those Colt's though. Nice and smooth to drop in the pocket.
Last week I fired a friends Colt .32 revolver he has from a bootlegger buddy. Real small for big hands and was hitting the primer off center. So some misfires too. Told him to put it away.
You've got a nice pair there.

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"from my cold dead hands" C.H.

Here's an interesting comparison of what a shopper may have had to choose from in the early to mid-20's

Alan Ladd used a Colt 32 or 380 frequently in this famous movie. Anybody who tried to mess with him or stop him "got it". Great pocket guns, especially for little fellas like Ladd, Cagney, Robinson and Bogart.

The first centerfire semiauto I owned was a Colt 1903 bought used in 1964. I tried to shoot tin cans off fence posts at about 15 yards.....forget it. I know we all wish ammo prices were like they were back then, but to me that 32 ACP box of 50 was too expensive. I was making about $2./hr pretax, 40 hrs/wk in a factory.

I traded the 32 for a Colt 1917 revolver. Surplus 45ACP was still available.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Glad you dropped in, M1A!! Here is a little Colt Pocket Positive made I believe in 1922!!! It is chambered for the ."32 Colt New Police", same as the .32 S&W Long. It is a little nicer than I usually like to get, but when I had the chance, I jumped on it. Nice or not, it still gets shot. Mostly with my very mild handloads, lead bullets, won't ever wear it out with those. It is still about 97%, so it probably didn't see much action back in the day. This is a model that a lot of FBI guys started carrying both before and after they were authorized to carry firearms. J. Edgar Hoover had one, and it was still issued to him when he passed away from what I remember. Decaprio used one in the movie about Hoover, and I understand that the FBI provided technical assistance in the firearms and other aspects of the film. As with all of these guns, I can't help but wonder what stories these shooters could tell if only they could talk!!!



This little guy might have been in a bootleggers desk drawer, or in an investigator's pocket. It had the new fangled "positive" safety that resulted in the "Pocket Positive" moniker, and was, and still is safe to carry with a round under the hammer. One of my favorites!!!

Best Regards, Les

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Thanks, Walter!!

Those are some fine looking shootin irons!!! And right out of the period that I'm looking for!! Thanks for sharing with us. I have been looking for both the Savage and the Remington when the right stars align, and the price, condition, and money in my pocket all happen at the right time. Beautiful!!

Best Regards, Les

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Here is a mid 20's 1905 4th Change to keep the party rolling.

Bob:

Thanks for the tip on the movie, I saw it many years ago, but will be looking for it on Amazon or Netflix, I have been watching a lot of oldies lately on my iPad or streaming on the net. Nice thing with that is that you can stop and pick back up on another device. If those old time directors knew that we could freeze frame in high def, they might have been a little more careful when filming!!

Yeah, I remember when things were a little tighter for me also, guess I'm not averse to treating myself a little bit now that the kids are established, and I'm in a little better position now. But I still save a lot by reloading for most of my toys, and that really saves money now that ammo prices have escalated recently. Plus I can tailor loads that won't stress these old treasures.

Best Regards, Les

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Mauser Model 1914, made in the mid-1920's



Colt 1903, made in 1929

John:

That's a really nice Smith!!! Thanks you for sharing with us! That is another of those guns that you have to wonder, was it carried in a police officers holster? A bad guys overcoat pocket? What is the story behind it. That was a very eventful period of time in the good old USA, and what with prohibition, and the advent of automobile enhanced crime, there were lots of colorful characters on both sides of the law.... Where did my guns fit in???

Best Regards, Les

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Walther Model 4, made about 1920

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What a sweet little number. Looks like it handles cleanly. We shooters of today get into debates ad infinitum about +P, magnums, JHPs, stopping power, etc. Meanwhile, an awful lot of law was enforced and personal security afforded by small caliber guns like this one. Big bore and more powerful guns existed back then also, but a gun like this could be easily carried.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Kaaskop49:

You can say that again... I love these little gems. John's Smith above is an example of what we would call a full sized handgun today, although it was shooting standard velocity ammunition. Here's another full sized Colt, also from 1925 (I didn't know I had so many mid twenties guns). This one is what at that time was called the Colt Army Special. It was later renamed the Colt Official Police. This one came from an old Baltimore Police Officer who had had it customized by checkering the front and back straps, and rebuilding the hammer, and rebluing.



Unfortunately, the original grips were missing, and I added these ivories. They are not period, but I think they look good, and they are not out of place. I believe that the customization was done at Colt. The frame has the appropriate factory stamp. It has also obviously had an action job, and is exceptionally smooth.



Here is a view of the backstrap and hammer, showing what I believe to be factory modification. I could be in error on this, and have no factory letter. Also, the holster is not period for the gun, but I had it, and it's a perfect fit, so I do use it when I'm shooting the gun.

Best Regards, Les

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The first is a Bolo Mauser from the 1920s, with a 4 inch barrel and thin grips, flat on the bottom. The second is a Model 1930, full sized. It was the next to last Mauser design; the last being the full automatic Schnellfeuer.

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Cyrano:

Now that's a couple of guns to make the Twenties "Roar"! Those are really neat. I saw several Mausers for sale recently at the Wheeling WV Cabela's. Really high price tags, too. You might check online to see if they have them still in stock. They were there for awhile, because they were so darn expensive. In the "Gun Library". I have always been fascinated by those guns, but have never owned one. Neat!!

Best Regards, Les

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LedFowl:

That Mauser is sweet!! I love the lines, and it has enough wear that you know that it has served someone or more than one someones, quite well. I always admired the 1914s, and the subsequent 1934s. The Colt is a sweetheart too, just a few years newer than mine. They are great little guns.

Thanks for sharing with us!!

Best Regards, Les

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Papaw:

That's one we don't see very often!! Nice looking Walther!! Thanks for sharing with us.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

That era interests me, as I was a fan of, The Lost World TV show and of Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews's scientific expeditions then. I read his books and noted his guns. The TV show also had period-correct guns, for the most part.

My late uncle had a Colt .32 New Police, a Colt .32 auto, and a Savage .32 auto. I don't know why he favored .32's.

I was also a fan of the British thriller heroine Modesty Blaise. She carried some sort of "Colt .32" in the books, before switching to a Star PD .45. I always pictured her as having a Cobra or Detective Special .32 with three-inch barrel, but a Pocket Positive from an earlier era was possible. I like to picture the action as I read, and saw her sometimes with a Pocket Positive. They're neat little guns.

Texas:

Good to see you!! You and I have similar tastes in film and books! I was just cleaning a few of the guns in the back of the safe today, and started thinking about how many of them were from the twenties, and what a fascinating era the twenties were especially here in the US, what with prohibition and the famous gangsters, the rise of the FBI, and also the beginnings of most of the State Police agencies, and the role of handguns in the era.

Anyway, it seems a fertile field for us to drag out some of our treasures and speculate what role they or identical guns played in that period!!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Hi les, my 2nd post on your Pocket Positive. Brings to mind a little 5 year-old boy finding a .32 snub in his great grandma's mini-dresser (don't know what it's called) on the porch. Looked like a S&W breaktop hammerless snub, but my grandpa told me years later he had brought it back from Germany at the turn of the century. Probably a European knock-off. Did find a few .32 S&W cartridges after he passed.

I was terrified and closed the drawer. Looking back, it's easy to say, "Only a .32?" Maybe, but who wants to get shot by one? And my great grandma would have been the one to do it. There's a lot more to CC/SD than paper ballistics.

Thanks again and good shooting!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Here's my contribution! I snatched this up awhile back during dealer setup at a gun show here.
While it's not unfired it's just about as close as you'll generally get and the box is extremely rare.
BTW: New Model 1903's are being priced at around $1,100 from what I've been told.
Jim

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A long time ago, I had a fairly complete collection of pre-WWII US-made .32 and .380 pocket pistols, most of which have now been sold. Head and shoulders above all others, my favorites were the Remington 51s. I still have two of those.

Jim:

Thanks for sharing that beauty with us!! And a box, even... Truly a unique find, and certainly a "keeper"! I never understand how boxes, particularly cardboard, can survive for so long. I see guys buying handguns all the time and just throwing the boxes away. Even if we aren't thinking about the future generations of collectors and shooters, it seems like you would want to have a place to keep the gun when not using it!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

DWalt:

I seem to remember that Patton was fond of the 51 also. Had a friend find one, which the friend had Remington refurbish, because they were out of production at that time, and then sent it on to Patton who by then was, if I remember correctly, in North Africa, embarking on "Operation Torch". At least that's how I remember reading the story. Thanks for sharing!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

You remember correctly. It was a gift presented to Patton by General Kenyon Joyce, one of Patton's close friends. I seem to remember seeing a picture of it with custom stocks having three stars. No idea if those starred stocks were supplied by Gen. Joyce, but I suspect they were. For sure, it was not the pistol used by Patton to fire on the attacking German fighter plane in North Africa, as shown in the movie.

Here is my 1903 Pocket 32 that I have been shooting since 1957. It still shoots great.

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Here's my addition to the thread
Top left is Browning 1910 380 then moving right is a Colt 1903 32 then a Colt Police Positive 32/20
Below the Browning 1910 is a FN 1922 ( Browning ) in 32 Then a Colt 1903 ( 1908 ) 380 in nickel and below the 32/20 is another Colt Police Positive in 32 New Police ( 32 S&W long ) and at the bottom is a Savage in 32. I shoot them all. Just about the time I think I should move one on to someone else I take them out and think " WHY!" I do enjoy them! I on occasion carry the Browning 1910 and the Colt 380 just to be different! I also have several S&W revolvers in 32/20 as well as 32 Long and just have to have a Lemon squeezer in 32 and 38 S&W!

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Not in American gun, nor is it from the Roaring Twenties, but my hideaway gun in the kitchen (loaded with Winchester silvertips) is a FN-Browning Model 1900 in .32 ACP, ca. 1911. Mine is in superb condition, and has a certain panache to it, maybe because it is the father of all subsequent blowback pocket pistols.

My rule is that if there is any place in your home where you are more than five steps away from a gun, you need more guns.

DWalt-

Good post! Until now, I was the only man I know who has a kitchen gun. As far as I knew...

Baby Chief in that useless cabinet above the frig.
You staying dry Tex?

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"from my cold dead hands" C.H.

I have a Remington Model 51 in the box as well. When I get a chance I'll dig it out of the safe for pics. If I were to carry a pistol from this period a Remington Model 51 would be my hands down first choice. I have Colts and Savages but the Remington IMO is the best engineered of these three.
Jim

Here's one for someone with really big pockets. A bare metal smooth action 1917 that I think was built in 1920. That tool is a demooner.

Charter Bulldog .44 in the cabinet above the microwave... A chicken in every pot and a gun in every room. Ha.

Thread drift. A few more Mausers for Les B. None date from the 20s, though.

1. Cone hammer, Sn 5126. Probably dates from 1898-9.
2. Pretty little bolo with 6 round magazine and fixed rear sight. Retailed by Von Lengerke and Antoine (later Abercrombie & Fitch), In NYC. Probably around 1905.
3. If you were a Maxim MG gunner in WW I, you might be lucky enough to be wearing this rig on your belt for close in defense. "Red 9" in 9mm Luger.
4. Not a Mauser but an Astra 903, the full auto version. Yes, it's registered with BATFE. Probably around 1930.
5. Another non-Mauser, this one a Shanxei in 45 ACP caliber, markings indicate date of 1930.

Anyoen want to start a Mauser pistol string? I have a few and even have 3 Mauser revolvers.

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Colt Army Special, made in 1927. Caliber is 38 Special.

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Thanks for sharing, Raisin, that's a fine looking 1903. John Moses Browing was a genius, he designed some of if not the best firearms In the world.

We are still shooting them and making replicas of them to shoot more than a century later.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Mike:

That is a really great collection. A lot of history on the hoof there!! I too enjoy shooting all of my babies. I have been known to carry one of these old timers from time to time as well. If anything holds me back, it's not just the thought of the gun not being capable, it's the thought of which one would I most not like to be a court exhibit if I had to use it in self defense!!

Thanks for sharing... Those are all guns that might have been used back in the "Roaring Twenties"!!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Ha! Now I don't feel too bad about the 32 S&W caliber H&R top break 5 shot in the towel stack in the bathroom, or the S&W 340 PD under my pillow, or the..... Well, you get the idea. I have the same philosophy.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I forgot about this one, made in 1919. I expect it saw some use during the '20s.

Does a S&W commercial 1917 on top of the refrigerator count?

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Wyatt:

That's a really cool "Pocket Pistol"!!! That would fit right in with the theme of "Slick Shooters of the Roaring Twenties"!!! With that short barrel, I'll bet it roars too. I think I remember seeing pictures of "Fitz", from the Colt factory with leather lined pockets sewn into his pants, carrying sawed off New Services in both front pockets!!! And was able to draw them in rapid fashion!!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Cyrano:

Well, those are just plain gorgeous!!! At least the ones made prior to the twenties could have been part of the roaring twenties!!! I have absolutely no experience with these firearms, but have always admired them... From afar!!! Not that I wouldn't like to have one, just a little above my bank accounts pain threshold!!

Thanks for sharing these lovely firearms.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Warren:

That's a nice looking Colt!! I love my Army Special posted above, and if yours shoots as well as mine, you have a treasure!! Like the grip adapter as well.

Thanks for sharing,

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

John:

Great Savage. I have been on the lookout for a nice one for some time now. Along with a Remington 51, that is one that I hope to aquire some day. How does it shoot? I'll bet it saw action during the "Roaring Twenties "!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I would venture to say yes!!!


Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Made just in time for the beginning of the Roaring Twenties: The serial places my Remington 51's production sometime in the summer of 1920.

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I don't know if I would call this one a slick shooter. Also it pre-dates the 1920's by just a little. It is a 38 Auto making it a little more desirable than some of the others. I have shot it. Paid $90 for it back in the 1980's and had to think about it since that was so much money back then. I think it dates to the late teens.

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Dr. B

Absalom:

That's a great looking Model 51!! How does it shoot? I'll bet that it saw action during the "Roaring Twenties"!! And the great thing is, it is probably still capable of holding its own with these plastic fantastic guns they crank out today. The old timers were made by real craftsmen who hand fitted parts made from drop forged steel. I'm not knocking today's guns, but they lack the personal touch of hancraftsmanship. Well, maybe some of the real high dollar 1911s, are made with that attention to detail,but we pay dearly for them.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Well, Doc, I think it fits in perfectly!! It was around during the twenties, and I'd sure like to know what it was doing back then!!! Some bootlegger might have had it in his overcoat pocket!!! Or the Sheriff might have issued it to one of his undercover deputies for an investigation!!! If only they could talk, what amazing tales of adventure they might tell. Perhaps the bank president kept it in a desk drawer down at the bank, and used it to thrawrt a robbery!!! Who knows??? The Shadow??

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Here's mine. Made in 1922 and shoots great. Some time ago, I got brave and with the help of a video, I detail stripped it . I think it was probably the first time for the gun. It was a little gunked up but was still shooting fine. I traded a dirt bike for it that I had bought for $40. Thought I got a pretty good deal. Wish I could find a period holster for it.
Peace,
Gordon

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better have that checked