Colt Model 1903 Type I Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP Mother of Pearl Grips! Semi Auto Pistol, 1908 C&R

SOLD FOR $1,575.00
LSB#: 180509GA02

Make: Colt

Model: Model 1903 Type I Pocket Hammerless

Serial Number: 67917

Year of Manufacture: 1908

Caliber: .32 A.C.P. (7.65mm)

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED / APR.20, 1897. DEC.22, 1903”, “COLT’S PAT. F.A. M’F’G. CO. / HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”, and at the rear with a Rampant Colt logo. The left side of the frame is marked “67917”. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE 32 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and the left rear with “R”. The flat just above the grip safety on the frame is marked “T”. The flat on the underside of the slide is marked “&” and the top of the frame under the barrel is marked “3”.

Barrel Length: 4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded bladed fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is a “U” notch dovetailed into the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are smooth Mother of Pearl with brass Rampant Colt medallions near the tops of the grips. The grips show several light handling marks. The grips are in about Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: The finish is blued. The trigger and safety have a fire blue finish.

Finish Originality: The finish is original.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 92% of its metal finish. There are tiny spots of pinprick surface erosion scattered over the front strap, grip safety, the sides of the frame and the front of the slide on the left side. There is thinning on the edges of the slide and frame. There is a drag line in the top of the slide to the right of the front sight, a few tiny dings on the left rear edge of the slide and frame, and two small scratches in the top of the slide at the front of the port. There are also a few light handling marks scattered over the remainder of the slide and frame. The right slide serrations are sharp but the left side are flat at the front and rear and sharp in the middle. The safety knurling is sharp. The markings are clear but the “PATENTED” on the left side of the slide is very shallow while the Rampant Colt logo at the back of the slide is crisp. The grip screw is sharp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the slide is tight to the frame. It has a barrel bushing, grip safety and a manual safety but does not have a magazine disconnect. The safety can be used to lock the slide back. We did not fire this handgun. As with all firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single blued 8 round magazines with the top ¾” “In The White”. The magazine in marked “CAL. 32 / COLT” on the floorplate. It shows minimal wear with a drag line and marks through the finish in the floorplate from the magazine release. The magazine is in about Fine Plus condition.

Our Assessment: From Wikipedia: “The Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless is a semi-automatic pistol designed by John Browning, and was the 1st of the Colt concealed hammer models, followed by the M1908 in .380 ACP. Despite the title ‘Hammerless’, the M1903 and M1908 pistols do have a hammer, which is covered and hidden from view under the rear of the slide. This allowed the weapon to be carried in and withdrawn from a pocket quickly and smoothly without snagging. These pistols were popular civilian firearms for much of their life, and also served as United States General Officer pistols from the 1940s until their replacement by the M15 General Officers pistol in the 1970s. The Office of Strategic Services issued the Model 1903 to its officers during World War II and it was a popular back-up/off-duty model with police officers in the United States. Gangsters also favored this pistol, including Bonnie Parker and John Dillinger.”. This is a Colt 1903 Type I Pocket Hammerless semi-auto made in 1908, the last year they were made with a barrel bushing. It is in about Fine condition with about 92% of its original finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion and the slide is tight to the frame. This is one of the nicest M1903 pistols we have seen in some time, and the first Type 1 we have seen in quite a while. We think this is destined for a high-end Colt collection.

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible pistol CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California but CANNOT be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.