Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this INCREDIBLE Pre-WWI semi-auto pistol today for a penny start auction; this is the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type I, also referred to as the Model M!
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The Model 1903, like the name, was first produced in 1903. The Type I Models were chambered for .32 ACP, have 4" barrels, barrel bushing, no magazine safety, and were serialized from 1-71,999.
According to the included factory letter, this example was shipped to the Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Company in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 2, 1904.
This example wears a desirable Nickel finish, features a Type I 4" barrel, holds serial number 4958, and dates to 1904! All of these features make this a HIGHLY DESIRABLE EARLY PRODUCTION MODEL!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type I
Serial: 4958
Date of Manufacture: 1904
Caliber: .32 ACP
Finish: Nickel
Barrel Length: 4"
Optics/Sights: Fixed
Stock/Grips: Cream Checkered Synthetic
Action: Semi-Auto
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
No one today thinks about the number of small pistols because so many options are available, but the variety was not so plentiful at one time. But one pistol in particular got the ball rolling for the pocket gun craze, and it’s been rolling on ever since the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless. If you wanted to buy a handgun at the turn of the century that was small and concealable, your options were pretty limited. Most of the choices were revolvers; the venerable 1911 was not even a blueprint and semi-automatic pistols were in their infancy. John Browning, however, had designed a new semi-auto pistol around the relatively new .32 ACP cartridge.
The new gun was dubbed the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless, or behind closed doors at the plant, the Hammerless Model M. Although the name was misleading, the gun did have a hammer, but it was concealed inside the slide. This gave the 1903 Colt the ability to be carried in a pocket without worrying about it getting snagged. Offered in blue or a nickel finish, the first Colt 1903s came with hard rubber grips and later wore wood grips with a Colt medallion.
The early Colt 1903 had a four-inch barrel, then later a 3.75-inch barrel, and various barrel bushings throughout their production, the earliest being separate and later integral. The pistol was 6.75 inches long, 4.375 inches tall, and just a scant 7/8 inch in width. Compare the Colt 1903 with the Glock 43, which is 6.25 inches long, 4.25 inches tall, and one inch wide. The Glock 43 was designed for concealed carry in every way, shape, and form. While the .32 ACP is no powerhouse by today’s standards, you must remember that none of the cartridges we take for granted today were available. The 9mm was only first being experimented with in Europe, the .45 ACP wouldn’t be seen until 1905, and the only .40-caliber rounds were in revolvers. The .32 ACP had a 71-grain FMJ that was listed as having a muzzle velocity of 900 fps, and the Colt 1903 had a magazine capacity of eight rounds, giving you a total of nine with one in the chamber. The magazine release was a heel style, typical of the day, especially in Europe. Like many of John Browning’s other designs, the Colt 1903 proved well ahead of its time. It had thumb and grip safety, which would be popular on other Colt pistols.
The pistol became an instant hit with anyone who felt the need to carry a gun, from cop to crook alike. They issued handguns to several police agencies in various parts of the country. Soon there was clamor for a more powerful version, so Colt created the 1908 Pocket Hammerless (not to be confused with the 1908 Vest Pocket), which was essentially the same gun but in the new .380 ACP. The Colt 1903, though, was still famous for decades, even after the Model 1908 debuted, and during the production run, 1903 was by far much more popular. More than 770,000 of both models were produced, but only 138,000 were Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols. In 1903, it found a home in various parts of the world. The British bought several for use in Ireland in 1921. Japanese officers preferred them to their issued handguns. The British again received more 1903s before World War II as part of the Lend-Lease program.
In addition to other governments, the 1903 and the 1908 Pocket Hammerless models found their way into the US Military. Known as the General Officer Model pistol, they were issued to officers carrying a sidearm but didn’t need the heft and weight of a 1911 Colt. There were 4,000 given, and of those, 2,500 were 1903 versions. These guns were parkerized, but a few were blued and had the US Property markings on the right side of the frame. For a time, some more famous names carried the 1903, including General Douglas MacArthur. The Office of Strategic Services also preferred to issue the 1903 over the 1908. The General Officers Model was issued until the 1970s before being phased out. For those out there who desire these guns but don’t want an “old” gun, Colt is now offering the 1903 Pocket Hammerless once again. Colt has teamed up with the U.S. Armament Corporation and is producing the 1903 General Officers Model, which looks identical to the same gun made fifty years ago.
The Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless was an innovative handgun when John Browning designed it well over a century ago. It started the trend of small-frame concealable handguns that could be carried reliably and safely, and no matter where the trend goes, we all know where to look back to see where it began.
Contents:
This example will ship with the matching factory letter pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type I
Serial: 4958
Date of Manufacture: 1904
Caliber: .32 ACP
Finish: Nickel
Barrel Length: 4"
Optics/Sights: Fixed
Stock/Grips: Cream Checkered Synthetic
Action: Semi-Auto
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
No one today thinks about the number of small pistols because so many options are available, but the variety was not so plentiful at one time. But one pistol in particular got the ball rolling for the pocket gun craze, and it’s been rolling on ever since the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless. If you wanted to buy a handgun at the turn of the century that was small and concealable, your options were pretty limited. Most of the choices were revolvers; the venerable 1911 was not even a blueprint and semi-automatic pistols were in their infancy. John Browning, however, had designed a new semi-auto pistol around the relatively new .32 ACP cartridge.
The new gun was dubbed the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless, or behind closed doors at the plant, the Hammerless Model M. Although the name was misleading, the gun did have a hammer, but it was concealed inside the slide. This gave the 1903 Colt the ability to be carried in a pocket without worrying about it getting snagged. Offered in blue or a nickel finish, the first Colt 1903s came with hard rubber grips and later wore wood grips with a Colt medallion.
The early Colt 1903 had a four-inch barrel, then later a 3.75-inch barrel, and various barrel bushings throughout their production, the earliest being separate and later integral. The pistol was 6.75 inches long, 4.375 inches tall, and just a scant 7/8 inch in width. Compare the Colt 1903 with the Glock 43, which is 6.25 inches long, 4.25 inches tall, and one inch wide. The Glock 43 was designed for concealed carry in every way, shape, and form. While the .32 ACP is no powerhouse by today’s standards, you must remember that none of the cartridges we take for granted today were available. The 9mm was only first being experimented with in Europe, the .45 ACP wouldn’t be seen until 1905, and the only .40-caliber rounds were in revolvers. The .32 ACP had a 71-grain FMJ that was listed as having a muzzle velocity of 900 fps, and the Colt 1903 had a magazine capacity of eight rounds, giving you a total of nine with one in the chamber. The magazine release was a heel style, typical of the day, especially in Europe. Like many of John Browning’s other designs, the Colt 1903 proved well ahead of its time. It had thumb and grip safety, which would be popular on other Colt pistols.
The pistol became an instant hit with anyone who felt the need to carry a gun, from cop to crook alike. They issued handguns to several police agencies in various parts of the country. Soon there was clamor for a more powerful version, so Colt created the 1908 Pocket Hammerless (not to be confused with the 1908 Vest Pocket), which was essentially the same gun but in the new .380 ACP. The Colt 1903, though, was still famous for decades, even after the Model 1908 debuted, and during the production run, 1903 was by far much more popular. More than 770,000 of both models were produced, but only 138,000 were Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols. In 1903, it found a home in various parts of the world. The British bought several for use in Ireland in 1921. Japanese officers preferred them to their issued handguns. The British again received more 1903s before World War II as part of the Lend-Lease program.
In addition to other governments, the 1903 and the 1908 Pocket Hammerless models found their way into the US Military. Known as the General Officer Model pistol, they were issued to officers carrying a sidearm but didn’t need the heft and weight of a 1911 Colt. There were 4,000 given, and of those, 2,500 were 1903 versions. These guns were parkerized, but a few were blued and had the US Property markings on the right side of the frame. For a time, some more famous names carried the 1903, including General Douglas MacArthur. The Office of Strategic Services also preferred to issue the 1903 over the 1908. The General Officers Model was issued until the 1970s before being phased out. For those out there who desire these guns but don’t want an “old” gun, Colt is now offering the 1903 Pocket Hammerless once again. Colt has teamed up with the U.S. Armament Corporation and is producing the 1903 General Officers Model, which looks identical to the same gun made fifty years ago.
The Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless was an innovative handgun when John Browning designed it well over a century ago. It started the trend of small-frame concealable handguns that could be carried reliably and safely, and no matter where the trend goes, we all know where to look back to see where it began.
Contents:
This example will ship with the matching factory letter pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $70.00
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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