Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1931 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3450
LSB#: 230414TM004
Make: Colt
Model: 1908 Type IV Pocket Hammerless
Serial Number: 112196
Year of Manufacture: 1931
Caliber: .380 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 3 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a round blade fixed to the front 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 two-piece checkered walnut with silver-colored Colt medallions. The grips have minor handling wear with only a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at most edges. There are some minor nicks and scratches, mostly on the right side. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw head is sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the slide is tight to the frame. It has a grip safety, a magazine disconnect, and a manual safety. 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 a single 7-round .380 magazine, hinge-lid cardboard Colt box with the serial number hand-written on the bottom, manual, and a Colt Archives letter. The letter indicates that this pistol shipped October 20, 1931 to Alker-Donovan Co. in New Orleans, LA as the only gun of its type in the shipment.
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 This allowed the weapon to be carried in and withdrawn from a pocket quickly and smoothly without snagging.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 it was a popular backup/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 1931, during the interwar years. The included Colt letter indicates that it shipped to the Alker-Donovan Company in New Orleans as the only gun of its type in the shipment. It is in Fine-plus condition with about 97% of its blued finish remaining, retaining a serial-matching slide. The bore is in great shape and the gun appears to have seen minimal use. This model is highly collected and should be of interest to the Colt collectors, especially with the included documentation. It should also still prove to be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud