Time for a Colt...Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless

TheHobbyist · Mar 27, 2021

Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless: Recently picked this one up in .32 ACP.

It's funny, but this is one that made me feel like a kid again on Christmas.

I have been looking for a .380 or .32 ACP hammerless Colt for a while; just, no luck. Either priced 'enthusiastically' or the condition was really poor, then still pricey for what you were getting.

Came across this one today and it really made my day. Now to find ammo and get a few shots through it, before it retires again.

Time for a Colt.

sigp220.45 · Mar 27, 2021

Very nice! I’ve got two - a .32 and a .380.

Fun to shoot and a breeze to carry. Mine get toted around regularly.

.357magger · Mar 27, 2021

Congratulations on your acquisition of what is perhaps my all time favorite Colt auto. Imo they're just about perfect for the power ratio and they're super fun to shoot too, tiny sights and all.

Below is my 1926 Type III in 380. Coincidentally enough for this thread, I just started a layaway yesterday on a 32 acp from 1921. Should have that one in hand in the next month.

They're great little poppers, thanks for sharing yours.

smithra_66 · Mar 27, 2021

Nice gun. Definitely on my list.

Rick Blaine would be proud.

TheHobbyist · Mar 27, 2021

@Sig,my wife's favorite round is the .380. I am actively looking for one...hope it does not take another ten years, though. Ones I have seen are in poor condition at almost $1K. I don't mind spending, but at least be commensurate with condition.

Grayfox · Mar 27, 2021

Quite fond of the old Colts myself.
1903, 1908 and a 1908 vest pocket.

TheHobbyist · Mar 27, 2021

Well done, Grayfox. I enjoy the old time Colts; as others do.

Any history you can share?

I own, Sigs and Glocks and MPs and stuff prior to a boating accident, but these old ones, well, they have soul.

Grayfox · Mar 27, 2021

Nah, they're just guns I've stumbled into along the way. No clue as to any history.

Hair Trigger · Mar 27, 2021

TheHobbyist said:
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless: Recently picked this one up in .32 ACP.

Came across this one today and it really made my day. Now to find ammo and get a few shots through it, before it retires again. Time for a Colt.

Do you know the manufacture date? The 1903's and 1908's SN is tied to the year they were made. List is at the bottom of this link page.
1903 Colt Model M.

I'd like to find a 1908 (.380) to go with my 1903, which was a 1944-made Government Issue to my stepdad, who gave it to me.

BC38 · Mar 27, 2021

I picked up a well worn shooter grade one of these recently myself. Haven't had it to the range since I'm still recovering from my broken left wrist (9 weeks and counting).

Hobbyist, what kind of finish is that on the one you just got? It doesn't look like the high polish blue normally seen on guns of this vintage. It almost looks like one of the spray on blued finishes like a cerracote or something. Maybe its just the pictures or the light....

Minorcan · Mar 27, 2021

Congrats, looks like you found a nice one. My Grandmama’s EDC was a nickeled Colt 1908 in 380 acp. Still have it with the remains of its original box. They are all smooth shooting pistols.

Hair Trigger · Mar 28, 2021

BC38 said:
Hobbyist, what kind of finish is that on the one you just got? It doesn't look like the high polish blue normally seen on guns of this vintage.

Hope I'm not speaking out of turn, but I believe it is a Parkerized finish. There were two factory finishes on the 1903 and 1908, blued and Parkerized. On wartime issued pistols, officers were generally given a blued one, other issues were Parkerized. I'd still be interested in knowing the manufacture year of that one.

BC38, the SN on yours indicates a 1921 manufacture year.

For what it's worth, 1903's and 1908's are not considered "drop safe", there is no firing pin block and it is an inertial pin. Even though there is no external hammer to hit, and they have both a grip and slide safety, and later models even have a magazine disconnect, it's not considered safe to carry one with a round in the chamber.

Absalom · Mar 28, 2021

Hair Trigger said:
Hope I'm not speaking out of turn, but I believe it is a Parkerized finish. There were two factory finishes on the 1903 and 1908, blued and Parkerized. On wartime issued pistols, officers were generally given a blued one, other issues were Parkerized. I'd still be interested in knowing the manufacture year of that one.

It does look matte rather than polished blue. However, if it is an original factory parkerized one, the serial will need to be quite high, in the 500-thousands, and the stocks are not original, they should be wood with medallion.

PeteC · Mar 28, 2021

Once used by Bonnie Parker, Al Capone, Willie Sutton and, less successfully but perhaps more memorably, by John Dillinger.

Also owned by Generals Eisenhower and Patton, but presumably they had less use for them than the above,

Cool gun with a lot of history!

TheHobbyist · Mar 28, 2021

I believe it to be originally, parkerized. SN puts it about 1919-1920. Could have been done later and if so, someone did a heck of a job. All original stampings and serial number are very crisp and not indicative of a refurb/refinish. I think someone touched up a spot or two, but if so, they did not do this with the entire gun. IMO.

TheHobbyist · Mar 28, 2021

@PeteC, yes, this is one of the handguns they found on John Dillinger when he died. FWIW.

Absalom · Mar 28, 2021

PeteC said:
Also owned by Generals Eisenhower and Patton, but presumably they had less use for them than the above,

Well, Patton liked his well enough that it was the pistol on which he had the stocks modefied with inlaid general’s stars.

He was a bit of a show-off

TheHobbyist · Mar 28, 2021

Thanks for sharing that, Absalom, never knew that.

Kurusu · Mar 28, 2021

Got one of those.

Hard to come by my side of the pond. FN cornered the market for pocket autos in Europe. And the 1903 Colt got squeezed in between 2 other JMB designs.

The previous FN1900.

And JMB's improvement of his 1903 design, the FN 1910.

Xfuzz · Mar 28, 2021

Nice Roscoe....
Walked up on this one a few months ago.
Price was right and it was strapped with M.O.P.....
1922.

Time for a Colt...Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless

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