Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1935 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3212.99
LSB#: 230414TM017
Make: Colt
Model: 1908 Type IV Pocket Hammerless
Serial Number: 116662
Year of Manufacture: 1935 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
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 small 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. The slide is serial-matched to the frame.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent and very minor erosion in the bore, mostly at the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish strong throughout. There are some scattered tiny marks of very minor surface oxidation. There are a few minor marks with one more notable nick on the top of the slide between the rear sight and ejection port. The screw head is sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the slide has barely perceptible play 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 magazine and a hinge-lid cardboard Colt box with the serial number hand-written on the bottom.
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 This allowed the weapon to be carried in and withdrawn from a pocket quickly and smoothly without snagging.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 1935, during the interwar years. It is in Fine-Excellent condition, retaining 97% of its original finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics. The pistol comes in its original box and is in quite nice condition, especially for its age. This model is highly collected and should be of interest to the Colt collectors, but should also make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
