Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this "tiny" semi-auto pistol today for a penny start auction, this is the Colt Junior Pocket Model. This is the sister model to the Vest Pocket Colt!
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Junior
Serial: OD87632
Date of Manufacture: 1973
Caliber: .25 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 2 1/4"
Optics/Sights: Fixed blade front with Fixed notch rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions
Action: Semi-Auto
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
During the early 20th century Colt had sold a popular line of vest pocket pistols developed by John Browning. The Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Hammerless proved extremely popular with over 400,000 sold between 1908 and 1941.
After the end of the Second World War Colt looked to re-enter the pocket pistol market. Initially, in 1946-47 Colt restarted production of the 1908 Vest Pocket Hammerless with 1,200 guns made partially from pre-war parts inventory. However, the market became flooded with cheaper, imported pistols made in Europe. While Colt had developed a new pocket pistol it was too expensive to manufacture. Instead Colt turned to the Spanish firearms manufacturer Astra Unceta y Ca to produce what would become known as the Colt Junior.
The Junior was a small pistol aesthetically influenced by earlier Colt designs, introduced in 1954. A small .25 ACP hammer fired pocket pistol with a six round single stack magazine which used a simple blowback action. The Junior lacked the grip safety of the Vest Pocket Hammerless but did have a manual thumb safety. A push button magazine catch at the bottom of the left grip panel releases the magazine. The Junior was also offered in .22 Short holding six rounds. Both models were 4.4-inches (13cm) long overall and weighed 13oz (369g) unloaded.
Colt introduced the Junior in 1957, with production beginning in 1958. Production continued, with over 40,000 pistols made, until 1968 when the Gun Control Act halted importation of non-sporting firearms. A problem Smith & Wesson attempted to capitalize on by introducing the Model 61 Escort. Faced with the cutting off of their supply of cheap pistols Colt took the decision to manufacture the Junior in the US.
After a two year gap in production Colt were able to arrange a workaround. With the Florida-based company Firearms Import & Export (FIE) importing Spanish parts to assemble in the US. Production resumed between 1970 and 1972. The Spanish-made guns have a ‘CC’ serial number suffix, while the American-assembled Juniors have ‘OD’ prefixes. In 1973, Colt discontinued sales of the Junior. However, Firearms Import & Export (FIE) continued to produce and sell the pistols as ‘The Best’ into the 1980s.
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: Junior
Serial: OD87632
Date of Manufacture: 1973
Caliber: .25 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 2 1/4"
Optics/Sights: Fixed blade front with Fixed notch rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions
Action: Semi-Auto
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
During the early 20th century Colt had sold a popular line of vest pocket pistols developed by John Browning. The Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Hammerless proved extremely popular with over 400,000 sold between 1908 and 1941.
After the end of the Second World War Colt looked to re-enter the pocket pistol market. Initially, in 1946-47 Colt restarted production of the 1908 Vest Pocket Hammerless with 1,200 guns made partially from pre-war parts inventory. However, the market became flooded with cheaper, imported pistols made in Europe. While Colt had developed a new pocket pistol it was too expensive to manufacture. Instead Colt turned to the Spanish firearms manufacturer Astra Unceta y Ca to produce what would become known as the Colt Junior.
The Junior was a small pistol aesthetically influenced by earlier Colt designs, introduced in 1954. A small .25 ACP hammer fired pocket pistol with a six round single stack magazine which used a simple blowback action. The Junior lacked the grip safety of the Vest Pocket Hammerless but did have a manual thumb safety. A push button magazine catch at the bottom of the left grip panel releases the magazine. The Junior was also offered in .22 Short holding six rounds. Both models were 4.4-inches (13cm) long overall and weighed 13oz (369g) unloaded.
Colt introduced the Junior in 1957, with production beginning in 1958. Production continued, with over 40,000 pistols made, until 1968 when the Gun Control Act halted importation of non-sporting firearms. A problem Smith & Wesson attempted to capitalize on by introducing the Model 61 Escort. Faced with the cutting off of their supply of cheap pistols Colt took the decision to manufacture the Junior in the US.
After a two year gap in production Colt were able to arrange a workaround. With the Florida-based company Firearms Import & Export (FIE) importing Spanish parts to assemble in the US. Production resumed between 1970 and 1972. The Spanish-made guns have a ‘CC’ serial number suffix, while the American-assembled Juniors have ‘OD’ prefixes. In 1973, Colt discontinued sales of the Junior. However, Firearms Import & Export (FIE) continued to produce and sell the pistols as ‘The Best’ into the 1980s.
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
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
