Colt Vest Pocket Model 1908 Hammerless, SA Semi-Automatic Pistol & Holster, MFD 1926 C&R
SOLD FOR:$843
LSB#: 150708EB31
Make: Colt
Model: Vest Pocket Model 1908
Serial Number: 356439
Year of Manufacture: 1926
Caliber: .25 A.C.P. (6.35mm 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.” / PAT’D AUG.25.1896.APR.20,1897.DEC.22,1903.JAN.25,1910.JULY 21,1910” and at the rear with a Rampant Colt logo. The left side of the frame and the right flat on the underside rear of the slide are marked “356439”. The left flat on the underside rear of the slide is marked “5”. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE 25”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and “1”. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “25”.
Barrel Length: 2 1/8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tiny blade that sits in the bottom of the “U” groove that runs the length of the slide. The rear sight is a tiny square notch in the back of the groove.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with a nickel plated Rampant Colt medallion at the top of each grip. The grips show light wear in the checkering without mars. Overall, the grips are in about Fine to Excellent overall Condition.
Type of Finish: The slide and frame are blued. The trigger, safety and grip safety are case colored.
Finish Originality: The finish is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is extremely light erosion the length of the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The case coloring on the safety, grip safety and trigger is still vivid. There is thinning on the front edges of the slide and frame and the sides of the slide show extremely very light handing marks. There is also a small spot of thinning on the right side of the frame above the rear of the trigger, two tiny marks on the back of the slide and a few light marks on the trigger guard. The slide serrations on the right side are sharp but the edges on the left side show light wear. The safety checkering is sharp to the touch. The grip screw is sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine to Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the slide is tight to the frame. This pistol has a slide locking safety, a grip safety and the magazine disconnect which was an added safety feature after 1917. We did not fire this handgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a 6 round magazine and a brown leather flap holster. The magazine is blued with the top of the magazine left “In The White”. It is marked “CAL. 25 / COLT” on the floorplate. The magazine body and the front edge of the floorplate show thinning. The magazine is in about Fine condition. The holster is made from a single piece of leather that is folded over at the front and sewn along the rear edge, with the back folded over to the front to form the top flap. There is a slotted hole punched in the top flap that secures the flap to a brass stud on the outside of the holster. There is a single belt loop sewn to the back of the holster that is marked “1299B”. The muzzle is enclosed with a small piece of leather. The holster shows multiple light handling marks. The holster is in Very Good to Fine condition.
Our Assessment: From Wikipedia: “The Model 1908 Vest Pocket is a compact, hammerless, striker-fired, semi-automatic single action pistol. Manufactured by the Colt’s Manufacturing Company from 1908 to 1948, it was marketed as a small concealable firearm which could be easily tucked into a gentleman’s vest pocket for unobtrusive carry. Created by famed firearms designer John Moses Browning, the Model 1908 followed Browning’s earlier European version, the FN Model 1906”. This pistol is in about Excellent condition with 96% of its original finish remaining. The case coloring is still vivid on the grip safety, trigger and safety. There is thinning on the front edges of the slide and frame, extremely light marks on the slide, a spot of thinning on the right side of the frame and a two tiny dings at the back of the slide. The checkered walnut grips show light wear in the checkering without mars. The bore is mostly bright with sharp checkering but there is extremely light erosion in the bore. There were a lot of these small pistols made, but they still manage to attract collector interest, and we wouldn’t expect this one to be any different. This pistol appears to be in great mechanical condition and is small enough to be carried anywhere, assuming you have the right permits. With its grip safety, you wouldn’t have to worry about carrying it with a round in the chamber. It even comes with a brown leather holster that will keep it completely protected should you want to wear it out in the woods.
