Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1922 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1150
LSB#: 220214KS008
Make: Colt
Model: 1908 Type III Pocket Hammerless
Serial Number: 53684
Year of Manufacture: 1922 (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 “53684”, the bottom of the slide is marked “53 / 684”. 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”.
Barrel Length: 3 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is missing. The rear sight is a round-top “U” notch dovetailed into the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are Type IV checkered hard rubber with “COLT” in banner across the tops and rampant colts at their bottoms. 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 Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There are infrequent spots of minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The grip areas show minor handling wear. There are a some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw head is slightly tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good-Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the slide has minor play 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 in a cardboard Colt box with manual and a total of two 7-round magazines. The box has a non-matching serial number written on the bottom. Originally a hinge-lid box, the top portion has torn free and the box shows scattered wear and fraying. One magazine is a Colt two-tone magazine which shows minor operational wear, infrequent faint oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring. The other magazine is an after-market magazine which shows almost no wear, but does have “COLT 380” hand-scribed on the floorplate.
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 it was a popular backup/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 1922, during the interwar years. It is in about Very Good-Plus condition with about 87% of its blued finish remaining. The bore is in good shape, the grips show minor handling wear, 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!