Colt 1908 Type III Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD Pre-WWI 1913 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,121.00
LSB#: 181009GS04

Make: Colt

Model: 1908 Type III Pocket Hammerless

Serial Number: 14357

Year of Manufacture: 1913 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .380 A.C.P. (9mm Kurz)

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 PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”, and at the rear with a Rampant Colt logo. The left side of the frame is marked “14357”. The right side of the slide is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT / CALIBRE 380 HAMMERLESS”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with “R”.

Barrel Length: 3 3/4”

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

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered black hard rubber with “COLT” in a banner across the tops of the grips and a Rampant Colt on a stylized “C” near the bottoms of the grips. The left panel has a light mark on the bottom edge and a short, thin crack at the rear edge toward the middle, the right panel has light marks on the front edge, top, bottom and center, and a couple of light marks in the smooth circle around the screw escutcheon. There are a few scattered light marks in the checkering. The checkering is well defined outside these marks, as are the lettering and colt. There are no chips. The grips are in about Very Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: The finish is original.   

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with light wear in the rifling. There is light erosion scattered throughout the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The slide has light scuffs, scrapes and freckling scattered throughout as does the frame. The frontstrap is mostly worn to white with a light patina, the backstrap and grip safety are in the same condition. The barrel shows light-moderate operational wear. The trigger has handling wear on the front and the front of the side faces, moreso on the right and light operational wear. The grip screw shows light marks of a screwdriver and the markings are clear, though the Colt’s legend on the left of the slide is struck deeper toward the “MFG. CO.” side than the “COLT’S” side. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good 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 the barrel bushing of the Type II nor the magazine disconnect that was added on the Type IV. The safety can be used to lock the slide back. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one unmarked blued seven round magazine. The body has light operational wear with a strong spring and intact feed lips, in about Very Good-Fine condition.

Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless is a semi-automatic pistol designed by John Browning, and was the 2nd of the Colt concealed hammer models, following the Model 1903. 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 1908 Type III Pocket Hammerless semi-auto made in 1913, just before the start of WWI. It is in about Very Good condition with about 70% of its blued finish remaining. The bore is gray with strong rifling and light erosion. This model is highly collected and should be of interest to the Colt collectors. If they don’t show enough interest, it will make someone a very nice carry pistol. 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.