U.S. Marked Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1942 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2025

LSB#: 210816JL01

Make: Colt

Model: 1903, U.S. Property Marked

Serial Number: 567557

Year of Manufacture: 1942 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .32 ACP (7.65mm Browning)

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.” with a rampant colt logo behind the serrations. The left side of the frame is marked “567557”, found again marked on the bottom of the slide. The left-rear of the frame has a faint Ordnance Wheel marking (frequently lightly struck on this model). 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, “X” at the rear, the right of the trigger guard has an inspection mark obscured by erosion. The right of the frame is marked “U.S. PROPERTY”.

Barrel Length: 3 3/4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated, ramped bladed with a rounded front fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with silver-colored Colt medallions at their tops. The grips have moderate handling wear with scattered nicks and scratches. The right panel has a chip-loss at the bottom-front and a crack at the top which extends to the medallion. The checkering ranges from well defined to worn smooth. Overall, the grips are in Fair-Good condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There are infrequent spots of light erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 15% of its metal finish. Finish remains only in protected areas. Other surfaces show scattered erosion and oxidation with the surrounding areas worn to white as from heavy cleaning. There are some scattered nicks and scratches. The markings are generally clear, the Ordnance wheel is incomplete, common on these pistols. Overall, this pistol is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the slide has minor play to the frame. It has a grip safety, a manual safety and a magazine disconnect safety. 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. The magazine has light operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good-Fine condition.

Our Assessment: In addition to its commercial popularity, the Colt 1903 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, it was used by the British SOE, and they were issued to various other intelligence and investigative personnel. This U.S. Property marked example is in Good condition with little of its original parkerized finish remaining, but retaining a nice bore, and strong mechanics. This would still make a great shooter, but with this pistol’s history, and its appearance possibly indicating that it saw actual use, it will also be of interest to Colt and WWII collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!