This was at the lgs the other day when I stopped by. It's a depression era gun, made in 1931. Came with matching box, docs, the spare mag was missing. I would say about 98% condition. It's a pretty little thing.

That's a beauty, it's a shame the second mag is gone.

I love the '03/'08 Colts. Mine aren't as nice as that one but after searching for them for a while I can imagine the tariff on that one . Beautiful old Colt.

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Qui plantavit curabit

It's getting more difficult to run across them in that condition these days. I got hooked on those a few years back and still have three of them.

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- Change it back -

That thing is gorgeous. I ran across one 19 years ago that was somebody's sock drawer gun. Zero wear, pristine condition. No box or papers. One mag. I got it for $450. You might be able to get one like it now for three times that but I wouldn't bet on it.

I really like the look and feel of those little pistols. Shoot well also. Have both the .32 & .380. Like the.32 better.

A very popular pistol throughout the 20th Century, at least the number of vintage holsters I’ve run into for it indicate that. Yours is a beauty.






Regards,

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turnerriver

Thing of beauty; thanks for sharing.

Beautiful, but in that condition quite likely out of my price range.

Wonderful example, you have the complete package there. I would probably get a letter on that one, would be great to have that additional history.

Those are really good looking little guns, especially in high cotton. Thank you for sharing.

Big fan, especially the US Property marked 1908s

I don’t think it originally came with two magazines….sure is pretty “Flat as a Book” wk

Nice score! It's a winner.

Mine is pretty well worn, the safety is a bit finicky, no box, no papers, but a couple of magazines; and I'll probably never carry it (.380 EZ does a fine job in a pocket holster) but it'll be one of the last I sell.

They are a handsome little gun, fun to shoot, and a connection with the past that's hard to duplicate.

Enjoy.

I would have torn my arm out of the socket reaching for my wallet. I have never seen one in that fine a condition in any local shop or gun show.

they do tend to accumulateover tine .Most are 32's with a few .380's

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age is just a number

The Colt 1903/1908 is the quintessential movie private detective or gangster gun. It just screams Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade.

So you bought it, right? What was the price ? Nice Type IV.

CZU, thanks for sharing. Mine was manufactured in October of 1931. I bought the Colt archives letter.
However mine is no way near your mint condition sample!!

Now I can copy your pictures and have a reference as to what mine looked like when new!
Congratulations!

turnerriver,

I brought this home the same day that you sold the 1903 holster here on the forum. I was disappointed that I had missed that sale.

**SOLD** Myres Carved Colt 1903 Holster FS

Mine is from 1911.
Not in the best shape, but wanted one for a long time and got it at a good price. it is a work in progress for me.
Reproduction two-tone magazines are available.


wyo-man

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Live free or die

Very nice 1903! I also have a 1911 manufactured 1903, great shooting Colt!

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

My 1920 made .32...

Great looking Colt. Now where is this gun shop located? If I am traveling around, I'd like to stop in and look.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

IMHO those are the coolest gun ever made.
I am jealous!

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

Beautiful guns. About 40 years ago, when people who were citizens of another country entered the US through unapproved means we greeted them in the name of the law and helped them go home. One gentleman I so encountered had a pristine .380, nickel with medallioned ivory grips, in his boot. It was unloaded and appeared unfired. It was negative NCIC. I considered forgoing lunch for a couple weeks and offering him $50. Decided chances were good that he had recently obtained it by unapproved means and we'd get a report when the legit owner discovered its absence, so I logged it into evidence as found property. Probably still there. Wish I'd risked it.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Nice stocks/grips!

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

Had 3, down to one now but not as nice as Op’s, very nice pistols.

A friend of mine had a very nice one I hoped to buy someday.It vanished after his car accident and I never learned if it was stolen or his son took it.
(Dave was quite old and not of very sound mind by then)

Here's the other end of the spectrum....(I'm pretty sure I have posted this before, but here it is again)

How long will it take the OP to achieve the soul of this one?

Manufactured 1909 and still functions flawlessly...

Attached Images

ColtM1903.jpg (150.3 KB, 49 views)

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

My last two purchases are my only colts.
Both 32s over 100 years old, work like new guns.
Regards

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That one is a beauty !! .... The 1903 was good enough to be included in Charlton Heston's survival pack in "Planet of the Apes". My 1924 mfg "Bogie gun" has just the right amount of wear for me.

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Y. B. Ord & A. Ree

I'd love to have a US Property 1908, to go with my US Property marked 1903. This one was my stepdad's issued carry in WWII, was a 1944 manufactured Type V.

Attached Images

DSC_0042.jpg (96.1 KB, 23 views)

This example once belonged to Captain Harry Wheeler, who led the Arizona Rangers after moving up through every rank in the organization.

He then became the 3-term Sheriff of Cochise County in Arizona.

He also was the main instigator of the Bisbee Deportation (look it up!) which shut down a labor problem in the copper mines, preserving copper mining which was really needed for WWI.

Before he debarked as a captain in the Army to go to France in WWI, he bought this .32 caliber Model 1903 for personal protection.

His name is inscribed on the frame of the gun under the grips.

I own it now.

Capt. Wheeler is buried in the Bisbee cemetery, not far from the graves of my maternal grandfather and grandmother. The badges in the photo are reproductions, but the gun is genuine.

John


(Click for larger image)

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Very nice!

I purchased mine in 2008 from my LGS for $500, I thought it was a bit high at that time, but I'm sure glad that I bought it when I did, given today's prices.

Made in 1918, here it is in its cigar box hideout I made with... a re-purposed cigar box. I took off the original mint black grip panels to preserve them, and put on a set of wood aftermarket panels for use

I've posted this a few times before, but for those that have not seen it:

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I see the 32s and 380s pop up on GB and other sites from time to time, but this is a gun I would want to handle before laying out cash.

Two Colts I’m very interested in, a 1908 and an early Agent with the shroud. As mentioned, they just scream old school gangster or PI. ��

Would love to hear the history of that one!

Stepdad was an Army NCO (was a Staff Sgt at the end of the war) and a courier in Europe, worked both in uniform and in plain clothes. He carried classified documents in a briefcase from HQ to HQ. Normally, 1903's were only issued to officers, but his CO got one for him. It was always in a shoulder holster inside his uniform tunic or suit jacket, and he also had a 1911 on his hip when in uniform. Most times he travelled with an enlisted driver/backup guy, the idea was to travel unobtrusively. He was part of the 3rd Infantry Division, but I don't have any more specifics, like a lot of veterans he didn't talk a lot about his service.

I don't have his holster, it got lost somewhere along the way after he got home after the war. He passed in 2000, and he gave me the pistol a year or so before he died.

Because of his passing, although age can cause that, but I won't put a 'like' there. But that's sure a nice-looking gun for a carry piece.

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There's a Monster on the loose

Beautiful gun there OP. I'm jealous.
I have a 1903 as well as a 1908. But mine ain't near as pretty as your's.
Here they are with their little brother.

Thanks for the follow up on the history of your 32. Used by the “greatest generation.”

My uncle left me this 1903 after he passed. I then bought a 1908, but it had some pitting on the frame and didn't belong next to this one. I may pick up another 1908, but the price on nice ones gives me pause.
Colt 1903 32 ACP (1).jpg

Colt 1903 32 ACP (2).jpg

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760