Colt Model 1903 Type I Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP Blue 4″ SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1907 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,381.00
LSB#: 180920SH01

Make: Colt

Model: Model 1903 Type I Pocket Hammerless

Serial Number: 53745

Year of Manufacture: 1907

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″ and “COLT’S PAT. F.A. M’F’G. CO. / HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” with a circled rampant colt behind the serrations. The right of the slide is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT / CALIBRE 32 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. The left of the frame is marked “53745”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “B”.

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 rounded “U” notch dovetailed into the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered black hard rubber Type I panels with “COLT” in a banner near the tops and a Rampant Colt logo in the bottom half of the grips. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The grips are in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion but there is a mark across one of the lands near the muzzle.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The slide and frame have several scattered small, very light marks. There are a couple of more notable marks on the left of the dust cover, the left of the slide above the firing pin retaining pin, a spot of wear on the bottom of the slide toward the front, on the right of the slide at the takedown indexing mark and another on the rear of the frame at the top. There is some light surface oxidation on the right of the slide behind the serrations and a very little bit on the bottom of the slide in front of the frame. The frontstrap and grip safety have light handling wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good-Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the slide is tight to the frame. It has a 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 one blued 7 round magazine with light wear on the sides and more wear on the front and rear, in about Very Good-plus condition.

Our Assessment: 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 1907. This pistol is in about Very Good-Fine condition with 90% of its original finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and a light mark across one land near the muzzle. This is a nice-looking pistol that will look great in a collection of early Colt automatics with its early features such as barrel bushing, safety screw and flame-blued controls. If the collectors don’t pay enough attention, the shooters may be interested in it as a carry gun given its Browning design and Colt quality. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible pistol CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California and CAN 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.