COLT 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type III .32 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol 1923 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,175.00
LSB#: LSB251207TF021
Make: Colt
Model: 1903, Type III Pocket Hammerless
Serial Number: 436873
Year of Manufacture: 1923 ()
Caliber: .32 ACP (7.65mm Browning)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
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 and Condition: The grips are checkered black hard rubber with “COLT” in a banner near the tops and a Rampant Colt logo in the bottom half of the grips. The grips have light handling wear with a few small marks. There is a patch of more notable wear on the left panel between the safety and the banner. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original. The slide is serial-matched to the frame.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion and minor pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5-6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is wear and light erosion at the leading edges of the slide and on the face of the muzzle. There is some other scattered light wear on the slide. The grip areas show handling wear. Most of the balance is in evenly scattered light oxidation. There are some light nicks and scratches. There are tool marks on and around the safety on the left of the frame. The action shows operational wear. The screw head is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The slide will fall from the stop-notch unless the safety is held up manually. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. 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 (correct for this period of production). The safety can be used to lock the slide back. We did not fire this handgun. As with all firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This handgun comes with a single two-tone 8-round magazine.
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, 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 1903 Type III Pocket Hammerless semi-auto made in 1923. This pistol is about Very Good condition with 75% of its blued finish remaining. The pistol has a decent bore and strong mechanics and will display well in an early Colt Automatic collection. It should also still prove to be a fun shooter. Good luck and happy bidding!
-Bud