Colt 1908 Type III Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol MFD 1912 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,625.00
LSB#: WY250310TP005
Make: Colt
Model: 1908 Type III Pocket Hammerless
Serial Number: 11142
Year of Manufacture: 1912 (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 “PATENTED / APR.20, 1897. DEC.22. 1903”, “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”, and at the rear with a Rampant Colt logo. The left side of the frame is marked “11142”. The right side of the slide is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT / CALIBRE 380 HAMMERLESS”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and at the rear with “R”.
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 “U” notch dovetailed into the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two piece Mother of Pearl panels with Colt Rampant Medallions at their tops. There is a minor crack behind the escutcheon on the right grip. These beautiful vintage Colt pearl grips are in wonderful condition, displaying a captivating iridescence that only genuine mother-of-pearl can offer. Their surface is smooth and reflective, with no significant damage. Adding to their charm is a gentle, natural yellowish patina around the Colt Rampant medallions. The grips rate in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: The finish is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is possibly some faint erosion. There is stubborn fouling intermittently throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. The slide has light scuffs. The barrel shows some operational wear. There is a spot of finish loss on top of the slide with some minor pitting. The trigger and hammer retain a gorgeous amount of fire blue. The grip screw shows light marks of a screwdriver and the markings are clear, though the Colt’s legend on the left of the slide is struck deeper toward the “MFG. CO.” side than the “COLT’S” side. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the slide is tight to the frame. It has a grip safety and a manual safety but does not have the separate barrel bushing of the Type II nor the magazine disconnect that was added on the Type IV. 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 “CAL. 380 / COLT” marked blued seven round magazine. The body has light operational wear with a strong spring and intact feed lips, in about Fine 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 III Pocket Hammerless semi-auto made in 1912, just before the start of WWI. It is in about Very Good condition with about 70% of its blued finish remaining. The bore is bright with strong rifling. This model is highly collected and should be of interest to the Colt collectors. If they don’t show enough interest, it will make someone a very nice carry pistol. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
