1903 Colt Hammerless

MSD2343 · Jul 21, 2023

While visiting my recently widowed sister, she said, “Oh, I have something for you.” She handed me an absolutely mint 1903 Colt Hammerless in .32 ACP. Looks like it could be unfired. It had belonged to her father-in-law who was a WWII combat vet and career NCO in the Army.

I’m generally not one to keep my stuff as pristine safe queens, but I’m going to make an exception for this one.

80sgyrene · Jul 21, 2023

Nice! You get a mag with it?

huthike · Jul 21, 2023

Very nice! Those are sweet shooters, though…

MSD2343 · Jul 21, 2023

80sgyrene said:
Nice! You get a mag with it?

Unfortunately no. My sister had one but because it was loaded she had stored it separately and now it’s apparently lost. That’s a shame since it looks like they’re pretty hard to come by.

Charlie Foxtrott · Jul 21, 2023

They are not hard to come by.

MSD2343 said:
Unfortunately no. My sister had one but because it was loaded she had stored it separately and now it’s apparently lost. That’s a shame since it looks like they’re pretty hard to come by.

You can get good ones from this outfit. I have purchased some for my 1903s, they work just fine.

Parts & Accessories - Page 1 - U.S. Armament Corp

Hair Trigger · Jul 21, 2023

MSD2343 said:
While visiting my recently widowed sister, she said, “Oh, I have something for you.” She handed me an absolutely mint 1903 Colt Hammerless in .32 ACP. Looks like it could be unfired. It had belonged to her father-in-law who was a WWII combat vet and career NCO in the Army.

I’m generally not one to keep my stuff as pristine safe queens, but I’m going to make an exception for this one.

He may have been a WWII vet, but the gun dates to WWI, the SN is 1915 production. It would be a Type III and not have a barrel bushing. That is a real treasure you have, both in raw value as well as the family history. Not sure if you intend to shoot it, but I would take great pains to keep the gun as pristine as possible. If you do shoot it, these guns work best will ball ammo (FMJ), as the feed ramp doesn't play well with flat-nosed ammo like JHP's.

I have a Type V, made in 1944 and marked "US Property", making it a military issued pistol. It belonged to my stepdad, who carried it in WWII. Mine has a tad more wear than yours and I don't shoot it very much at all, I've had mine for 23 years.

Magazines are available, eBay has many listings, from $35 for NOS to over $100 for vintage used ones.

SnidelyWhiplash · Jul 21, 2023

Awesome Colt. Holding that gives you thoughts of Sam Spade or Rick Blaine.

30-30remchester · Jul 21, 2023

When asked by the younger generation why I prefer early firearms and why I think them superior quality, I have them look down the sights of their new recycled Tupperware self-loaders and look at the spaces between the frame and slide. Then I show them the slide-grip frame gap in a Colt prewar Woodsman or model 1903. Most Colts can't fit a cigarette paper in the gaps. Most modern stuff can fit Elizabeth Taylor into the gap.

AJ · Jul 21, 2023

That pistol needs a NIB magazine to go with it. A repo or an original with normal were and tear will not do. Be prepared to spend some bucks for a very nice magazine!

ACORN · Jul 21, 2023

WOW! A wayyyyy cool gun.
Color me jealous.

jc2721 · Jul 21, 2023

Beautiful piece!

Pre-war Colt magazines (1938-39) are generally two-tone; those can be pretty expensive and harder to find but they're out there. Finding one that will match the overall condition of your BIL's pistol will be tough.

iby · Jul 21, 2023

Circa mid-teens/1920

NFrameFred · Jul 21, 2023

That's a peach ! To use an over-used term generally NOT deserved, that is rare in that condition.

Ivan the Butcher · Jul 21, 2023

Dad had 3, (all 32's) but after he died my brother and I tried to buy them from his wife. "He never had any guns like that." was the line on anything that was an Heirloom. His Diamond Back 4" and Detective Special, the 1903's, the 1952 Win 94, two BHP's and all the shotguns, "Never Existed."

I am glad for you that your families' 1903's are still in the right family!

Ivan

.357magger · Jul 23, 2023

What a wonderful condition Model M.

Despite the comments above, magazines aren't that difficult to come by. But a pristine 2 tone will cost around $200 online. Aftermarket magazines are abundant and work well, and IIRC U.S. Armament sells a reproduction 2 tone these days.

I get your comment about now having a safe queen, but I'd encourage you to rethink that, at least for an occasional outing. They're very durable pistols and a delight to shoot. If you decide to dance with yours, you'll understand why everyone from John Dillinger, George Patton, to Mark Twain was a fan. I included a pic below of Mr. Clements enjoying his 1903.

The Model M is perhaps my favorite of John Browning's designs. The two below, a 1917 in 32 and a 1924 in 380, run like sewing machines. And that's with the original magazines and magazine springs.

Congratulations on your acquisition and thanks for sharing it.

Inusuit · Jul 23, 2023

I am shopping for white suit to wear when shooting my 1903.

Faulkner · Jul 23, 2023

Very nice Colt 1903. One in that condition could easily sell in the $2500+ range these days.

Original two-tone magazines are indeed expensive, one of those will run you $150+ but I've used current production magazines for shooting and they work fine, just not period correct for one made in 1915.

By the way, shooting it won't hurt the value, mishandling will. I'd keep it out of that nice holster you have to prevent any wear on the finish, but I have a pair of nice ones from 1923 and I shoot them without any ill effect at all.

Hair Trigger · Jul 23, 2023

Inusuit said:
I am shopping for white suit to wear when shooting my 1903.

Yeah, but what are you gonna do about the hair and moustache?

I wish Twain were alive today, I'd love to get his take on modern society.

deadin · Jul 23, 2023

Takes a Licken, Keeps on Ticken!!
1909 Manufacture date,
Probably one of the most worn out guns I own. It grew up on a ranch in NE Washington and looked like it hadn't cleaned since WW1. (It was so cruddy inside that I had problems just stripping it down for a deep clean.)

However it functions flawlessly....

Charlie Foxtrott · Jul 23, 2023

They tend to grow on you.

I carry one of mine on occasion.

1903 Colt Hammerless

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