Colt Model 1908 Type IV Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP Blued 3″ SA Semi-Automatic Pistol & Box, 1933 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,530.00
LSB#: 180920SH03

Make: Colt

Model: Model 1908 Type IV Pocket Hammerless

Serial Number: 113243

Year of Manufacture: 1933 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .380 A.C.P. (9mm Kurz)

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 bottom of the slide is marked “113243”. The left side of the frame is marked “113243”. 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 “3”. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “75”.

Barrel Length: 3 3/4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded bladed fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is a round-top square notch dovetailed into the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with nickel plated Rampant Colt medallions at the tops of the grips. The checkering shows light wear without mars. The grips are in about Fine-Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at most edges. The slide has a spot of light oxidation which has been scrubbed out at the top-rear of the left flat, a few scattered light marks, infrequent light freckling along the top edge of the left flat and in front of the rear sight. The frame has a couple of spots of light oxidation on the right along the top, one at the top-rear and a few scattered light marks. The trigger has light operational wear. The barrel has very light operational wear. The grip screw is sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the slide is tight to the frame. It has a grip safety, a manual safety and a magazine disconnect but does not have the barrel bushing of the Type II (Standard Type IV configuration). 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 with one blued seven round magazine and a factory box. The top ¾” of the magazine is “In The White” and the floorplate is marked “CAL. 380 / COLT”. The magazine shows minimal wear and is in Fine-Excellent condition. The box is cardboard with a dark brown finish. The label on the end panel is markedr with the make and caliber of this pistol. The lid has a tear and the left panel of the lid has torn off with half of it included in the box. The edges and corners are worn. Overall, the box is in about Fair condition.

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 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 1908 Type IV Pocket Hammerless semi-auto made in 1933. It is in about Fine overall condition with 96% of its original blue finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. As an added plus for the collector, it comes with a factory box. This model is highly collected and should be of interest to the Colt collectors. It is not very often that we see 85 year old pistols pass through the shop with a finish this nice.

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible pistol CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California and CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.