US Armament Colt 1903

Last I read, production had ceased, but there was a some new unsold stock still at a few distributers.

Mr. Mosin

I just did a quick check of several of the big gun distributors but all of them had it listed as being "Out of Stock". Did find one listed on Gunbroker with a starting bid of $1499. So far nothing happening.

I would have thought they would make some 380's before they stopped production. I guess the cost of tooling was too much. They would have needed new magazines and extractors as well as barrels and recoils springs, and maybe other things I have not thought of. Too bad.

Monac said:

I would have thought they would make some 380's before they stopped production. I guess the cost of tooling was too much. They would have needed new magazines and extractors as well as barrels and recoils springs, and maybe other things I have not thought of. Too bad.

Click to expand...

It may not have been strictly historically accurate as a General Officers Pistol, but they probably should have made it a .380 in the first place. Might have sold a few more. An available high-polish blue finish couldnt have hurt either........

I think Admirals could get 380's, although not many admirals wanted a sidearm. Also, they have been making bright nickel 32s, which are not historical for general officers either. I got one of the blue (as opposed to parkerized ones) US Armament repro 32s, although I guess it is not high polish.

I believe that the Colt M1908 380 ACP Colt pistol was not issued on a regular basis by the US government to its general officers until World War II. Up to that time, the Colt Model M1903 chambered in 32 ACP was the firearm purchased by the government for issue to general officers. So, while in today's climate the 380 ACP is deemed a better round than the 32 ACP, the M1903 is more historically correct for the officer's model in terms of number of pistols issued.

My maternal grandfather, a hunter and outdoorsman as well as a surgeon in the medical corp during the Great War, bought himself a Colt M1908 to take with him to France prior to departing overseas in late 1917. Over the years, the pistol was passed down to me and I shoot it once in a while. In comparison to today's offerings in 380 ACP pistols, the gun is comparable but the M1903 chambered in 32 ACP is much more pleasant to shoot.

I could see general officers wanting something that would be a last ditch effort to save their hide but not be a pain to practice with once in a great while. The Colt M1903 would fit that bill quite well.

I have one of the US Armament M1903's and it is a well made pistol. They have made rumblings of producing other historic Colt pistols and I hope they do. I'd be interested.

I've never liked the 380 version as much as the 32acp. I've owned a few but always ended up selling them or trading for something I'd enjoy shooting. IIRC the US Armaments was a very limited run, a test the waters type effort. But I already have a few of the original 32s so reluctantly passed this time. I will say that if the brought out the 380 version I would still almost certainly take a pass but might well jump on a new 32acp.

cfullgraf said:

I believe that the Colt M1908 380 ACP Colt pistol was not issued on a regular basis by the US government to its general officers until World War II. Up to that time, the Colt Model M1903 chambered in 32 ACP was the firearm purchased by the government for issue to general officers. So, while in today's climate the 380 ACP is deemed a better round than the 32 ACP, the M1903 is more historically correct for the officer's model in terms of number of pistols issued.

Click to expand...

I have two of the Colt pocket pistols with bona fide "U.S. Property" markings, making them so-called "General Officers" pistols. One is a blued M1908 in .380 and the other is a Parkerized M1903 in .32. Both were manufactured during WW2, but the .32 wasn't issued to a general officer until 1965 (I have his name). The blued .380 doesn't have an issue history that I could find, leading me to think it was issued to an OSS or other undercover operative.

Of the "U.S. Property" marked pistols, the vast majority of the .380's were blued, while the vast majority of the .32's were Parkerized. The opposite finish would be a great rarity. In fact, I have been trying for years without success to find such examples for my collection. (Yes, they are out there, but with bogus "U.S. Property" markings. Never buy a "U.S. Property" pistol without comparing it to a real one.)

My 1903 chambered in .32 acp is a joy to shoot compared to todays ultralight compact 9s and .40s.

Monac said:

I think Admirals could get 380's, although not many admirals wanted a sidearm.

Click to expand...

Actually, no. War Department issued pistols to Generals, along with the other regalia of rank.

The Navy Department--a separate entity until 1947--expected Flag Officers to provide all of their 'stuff" from uniforms, to Flags and the like. (They often got to hand pick their staff, too, withing reason.) Marine generals were so few in number that it was entirely at their discretion as to accoutrements.

Until 1946 or so, Flag officers were few and far between, too.

FWIW, a shooter quality original 1903 could be gotten for a lot less money.

Tallball said:

FWIW, a shooter quality original 1903 could be gotten for a lot less money.

Click to expand...

That's right. Non-"U.S. Property" Colt M1903/M1908 pocket pistols are still reasonable in price. The "U.S. Property" marking, if genuine, at least triples the value.