Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1924 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1675
LSB#: 210613GY03
Make: Colt
Model: 1908 Type III Pocket Hammerless
Serial Number: 69805
Year of Manufacture: 1924 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .380 A.C.P.
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. / PATENTED APR. 20. 1897. DEC. 22. 1903”, and at the rear with a Rampant Colt logo. The left side of the frame is marked “69805”. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE .380 HAMMERLESS”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and “R”, the right is marked “34”. The bottom of the slide is marked “69 / 805”.
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 hard rubber with “COLT” in banner across the tops and rampant colts at their bottoms. Originally black, the grips have mostly gone to a brown color. The grips show minor handling wear with only a few scattered light marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition and would rate Excellent but for the discoloration.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches with most in the grip areas which show minor handling wear. There are infrequent spots of minor surface oxidation. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw head is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the slide is tight to the frame. It has a grip safety and a manual safety. 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 7-round magazine marked “CAL.380 / COLT” on the floorplate. The magazine has minor operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about 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 1924, during the inter-war years. It is in about Fine condition with about 92% of its blued finish remaining. The bore is great, the grips show minor handling wear (though they have lost much of their black color) and the mechanics are strong. This model is highly collected and should be of interest to the Colt collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!