WWII British Lend-Lease Colt 1903 Pocket .32 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1942 C&R
Sold For $3,200
LSB#: 200807DW21
Make: Colt
Model: 1903, British Lend-Lease
Serial Number: 562440
Year of Manufacture: 1942 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .32 ACP (7.65mm Browning)
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” with a rampant colt logo behind the serrations. The left side of the frame is marked “562440”, found again marked on the bottom of the slide. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE 32 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle, “X” at the rear, the right of the trigger guard is marked “7”. The right of the frame is marked “U.S. PROPERTY” and with two British proof marks, there is a British proof mark on the top-right of the slide behind the ejection port and the brarel has an assortment of British proofs visible through the ejection port.
Barrel Length: 3 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped bladed with a rounded front fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with silver-colored Colt medallions at their tops. The grips have minor handling wear, most notable a ding on the front edge of the right panel. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined, generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are a few scattered light scuffs and scratches, most notable around the ejection port, at the bottom of the grip safety and on the right of the frame below the hammer pin. The action shows light operational wear. The screw head is sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is 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 safety. The safety can be used to lock the slide back. We did not fire this handgun. As with all firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one blued 7 round magazine marked “CAL .32 / COLT” on the floorplate. The magazine has faint operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Fine-plus condition.
Our Assessment: As was the case in the previous Great War, the outset of WWII found many nations starved for small arms, procuring just about anything they could get their hands on to arm their troops. Prior to the United State’s entry to WWII, there were various methods of supplying the Allies with defense products while maintaining neutrality, the final being the Lend-Lease Act which permitted the sale, lending and leasing of defense equipment to Allied nations by the U.S. government. The “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” marking coupled with British proof marks on this Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless indicates that it is one that was sold to the British government under the Lend-Lease Act. In addition to its commercial popularity, the 1903 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 also used by the British SOE. This Lend-Lease example is in Fine condition with 96% of its parkerized finish remaining. The bore is great and its mechanics are strong. This would still make a great shooter, but with this pistol’s history it will also be of great interest to Colt and WWII collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R Pistol CAN be sold as a dealer sale in California and CAN be transferred as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley location. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.
