Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type III .32 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol 1922 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1125
LSB#: 220516DK014
Make: Colt
Model: 1903, Type III Pocket Hammerless
Serial Number: 412905
Year of Manufacture: 1922 (https://www.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 “412905”. 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 and “R”, the right of the trigger guard is marked “34”. The bottom-rear of the slide is marked “412 / 905”.
Barrel Length: 3 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded blade fixed to the front 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 two-piece checkered black hard rubber with “COLT” in banner across their tops and rampant colt logos at their bottoms. The grips have minor handling wear with only a few small nicks and scuffs. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is sharp. There is some minor erosion in the bore
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 94% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges, mostly on the slide. Most of the balance is handling wear in the grip safety. There is a spot of wear above the right slide flat in front of the ejection port. There is a spot of minor surface oxidation at the right-rear of the slide and a spot of odd discoloration at the left-rear of the frame below the slide. There are a few other scattered minor marks and the action shows light operational wear. The screw head is lightly tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the slide has minor play to the frame. It has a grip safety and a manual safety but does not have a magazine disconnect safety. 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 8-round magazine. The magazine has a two-tone finish with the top portion in the white, showing minor operational wear with a strong spring and intact feed lips. A brown leather holster is included.
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, seeing use on both sides of the law as well as for lawful recreational shooting.
This example looks like it has seen limited and responsible use over the last century. Despite being 100 years old, it retains the great majority of its original finish, a good bore and strong mechanics. This is a nice example of the 1903 for the Colt collectors out there, but should also be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!