For a long time I had a desire for a Colt .32 1903 Pocket Hammerless, but I could never seem to find one that agreed with me. People wanted too much for guns that had little to no finish left, and exorbitant amounts for guns in better condition. Then one day five years ago, I walked into a gun store that I hadn't been in before. I wasn't even really intending to, I just happen to see the sign for it while driving past and thought, "why not?"

In the very first counter on the right there sat a 1903, with a price tag that I was more than happy with.





In 1928, Colt sent a shipment of 12 guns to the Shapleigh Hardware Company in St. Louis, MO. Included in that shipment was this 1903. Something seems off about it though. Those sights don't look original. And it looks like there's something written on the side.





Well would you look at that. King? I hear he made some pretty fancy sights, particularly for revolvers.





For the life of me I can't get my camera to keep focus on the front sight, but that should still give an idea about how bright that orange/red insert is.

I imagine many people on this forum are by now familiar with D.W. King and the excellent upgrades his company performed to revolvers made by both Colt and S&W. I myself was lucky enough to snag a Colt-King Super Target Officer's Model years ago. King's catalog was quite extensive though, and he worked on just about anything anyone was willing to pay for, including pocket guns.

In the years since I acquired this I have yet to see either another complete example of a 1903 with these sights or even just the sights themselves sans the 1903. About the only thing that would have made me happier would be finding one with a reflector as well. For what it's worth, these sights make for an immensely pleasurable shooting experience on this gun.

So let's see those King modified guns.

Here is one of my favorites....A King modified Smith & Wesson Heavy Duty. It is far more accurate than I am.

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On the Oak Savannah

Very nice 1903.

Super fine 1903 Colt. Wish Colt had put a little more thought into the sights. But then again they are not target guns.

I have an officer’s model heavy barrel with King sights. I bought it cheap enough, cleaned it and need to find a extractor rod head.

Congratulations! That 1903 is sweet as all get out but those adjustable sights are da bomb! Only thing I’d change or at least wish it had was a gold bead rather that the red. Very interesting little pistol.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

Those King's make the Model M just that much better. I too have never seen a King modified 1903 before. I'm a fan of the model and think they're one of, if not the best of, JMB's pistol designs.

Thanks for sharing your unique upgraded variant.

Here's my "1908" in .380 from 1926, a Type III (they're really all just 1903 Model M Pocket Hammerless as far as Colt was concerned). One of my favorite pistols.

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Moralem, Numrich Gun Parts has the correct ejector rod head in stock for your revolver. It's a modern reproduction, but for $17 it was an exact fit on my 1930 vintage Officer's Model and it looks perfect on the gun. Part number 1402650A.

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I have a 1908 .380 (currently missing it's front sight) that I would love to find a set of the King sights for. Probably like finding the Holy Grail.

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

Thanks RKWood........I just put my order in, should be here in a couple days.

Finally the old girl is whole agsin.....

Looking good, moralem!

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