Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this compact semi-automatic pistol for a penny-start auction today; this is the Colt 1908 Hammerless Model, also referred to as the Vest Pocket Model!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1908 Hammerless "Vest Pocket" Model
Serial: 322541
Date of Manufacture: 1923
Caliber: .25 ACP
Finish: Blue with Color Case Hardened Slide Lock Safety, Grip Safety, and Trigger
Barrel Length: 2"
Optics/Sights: Fixed
Stock/Grips: Black Checkered Synthetic with "Colt" & Rampant Colt Logo
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Model 1908 Vest Pocket is a compact, hammerless, striker-fired, semi-automatic single-action pistol. Manufactured by the Colt Manufacturing Company from 1908 to 1948, it was marketed as a small, concealable firearm that could be easily tucked into a vest pocket for unobtrusive carry. Designed by John Moses Browning, the Model 1908 followed Browning’s earlier European version, introduced by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal as the FN Model 1906. Both pistols were chambered for the Browning-invented .25 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge.
Known as the Model "N" internally within Colt, the 1908 Vest Pocket is a diminutive 4.5 inches long and has a 2-inch barrel. Weighing a mere 13 ounces, it is fed by a six-round single-column magazine. The pistol’s fixed open iron sights were rather small and rudimentary, but typical for small hideout automatics of its era and adequate for the short range at which it was intended to be used.
Colt's advertising and marketing literature of the time highly touted the advanced safety features of the Model 1908, including a standard slide-locking safety catch, as well as a grip safety. In 1916, Colt engineer George Tansley invented a third safety feature for the pistol, the magazine safety disconnector, which prevented accidental firing with the magazine removed. This additional safety device was added to production in 1916 or 1917 in the latter 139,000 serial number range and patented by Colt in 1917.
In 34 years of production, a total of approximately 409,061 Model 1908 pistols were manufactured, paused from 1943 to 1945 due to the demands of World War II production. Some additional pistols were assembled post-war from parts on hand numbered 420,001 through 420,705. An improved redesign became the Baby Browning, which is still in production. The Colt Model 1908 saw limited service with American and British OSS and SOE units during World War II due to its nature as a small, highly concealable weapon.
Contents:
This example will ship with the original serialed box, paperwork, and cleaning brush pictured above. This example remains in Extraordinary Condition showing no evidence of regular consumer use or handling that we can see!
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 with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
