1903 Pearl Handle, Colt Automatic?

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mydimage

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Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me with the value of this gun. I could not find a serial number, the only numbers I could find are almost worn off except for a 2 and what looks like 034 above the trigger. It appears to read (I'm guessing at some of it...) Colt Automatic, Rimless Smokeless. I can't make out the numbers next to Rimless. Patented Apr 20 1897, Dec 22 1903. Thanks for any info you can offer. 000_0938.gif 000_0937.gif
 
Well, it appears to be a poorly done nickle re-finish, with pitting left under the plating, roll marks buffed off, and flats & edges rounded over.

I doubt the grips are original either.

As such, it is not worth anything to a Colt collector.

As a shooter, I'd guess in the $200 - $250 range.

rc
 
I doubt anyone would seriously care in that case, but a gun with the serial number removed is illegal to own.

I am not sure the finish, such as it is, is even nickel. I have seen similar jobs done in chrome by the local bumper refinishing shop. IMHO, if the grips are really Colt factory mother of pearl, they are probably worth more than the gun.

Jim
 
I don't know much about the gun, we found it in some of my grandfathers things and wanted to find out more about it. It's very dirty and probably not in any condition to use as it is, the handle is what really got our attention to begin with. It really doesn't matter if any "collector" would touch it, I just wanted to know if anyone knew anything about it's value or if there was some kind of history around it. I can't find anything else like it to compare it with, it's a shame that it's not in better condition :(

I'm assuming that the reason some of the info on the gun is worn away is because it was worn off on purpose in some kind of refinishing attempt?
 
Yes, as RC Model said, it was (and is) not uncommon for an unskilled "gunsmith" to buff a rusted or pitted firearm and then refinish with whatever is available. Too bad, these are great old guns. This one is a candidate for a shadow box with your grandfather's pocket watch.

I think if you Google Colt 1903, you will get a load of information about the gun.
 
Oh, the 1903 Colts had serial numbers, no doubt about that. If you look at the first pic, the serial number is on the receiver, just above the trigger guard. It looks like it's been buffed off.

If it were my grandfather's pistol, and if the serial number were visible enough to discern (hard to tell from the photo), I'd send the gun off to Dale Woody, and have him restore all the roll marks and lettering, and then have him reblue it. Dale did one for me, and I've got another ready to send him (actually, the other one is a 1908 in 380). He does excellent work, and his prices are very reasonable.

-Matt
 
As far as production date goes, it's impossible to know without being able to read the serial number. However, this particular pistol is not a Type I or Type II, as can be discerned by the fact that there is no barrel bushing retainer pin in the dust cover below the barrel. It therefore has to be at least a Type III, which started production in 1910.

I could narrow it down a bit better, but would need to know if it has a magazine disconnect safety or not.


-Matt
 
For reference, for any who may be wondering, the pic below shows where the serial number is located on the 1903 and 1908 Colt automatics. On the 1903 Colt, 4 digit serial number guns were produced only in 1903 and for some portion of 1904. Six digits serial numbers started some time in 1910.

-Matt

sn.jpg
 
Your 1903 is a series 3, most likely made between late 1916 to early 1919. Someone probably hard chromed it, vs. nickel. I'm about 90% sure of this, the hard chrome requires an additional layer of a base metal, the chrome, and then (obviously) polishing the crap out of it. The base metal and chrome has simply filled in the serial number. Great gun with little or no real collector value. I love the grips, though! Have it checked out, polish it up and have a really neat BBQ gun!
 
And the value?, if the grips are real, they will bring a hundred ( maybe more if they are factory ). The firearm as such, it has no legitimate value because of the lack of a serial number. No knowledgeable person would buy it. Now if it were mine ( Most of the value was already lost with the over buffing ) I would strip it to the parts, discard the frame and sell the rest. I would not want to take the chance of being caught with it.That is just MHO and may not be the view of others ( disclaimer :) )
 
The grips may be worth more than the pistol at this point. Refinishing/restoring it will NOT harm its value at this point. You might find it difficult to SELL or SHIP with the numbers obscured but it doesn't look like they were 'ground off' to me, rather you've had some serious corrosion there thats been filled in.

Honestly, you might have a hard time getting a smith to look at it in that condition.
 
I have a Colt 1903 Pocket Hammer and it has a clear serial number which indicates it was manufactured in 1909. The original leather holster is also with this gun. Anyone know what this gun might be worth? No restoration work and it has original blueing which is somewhat worn.

2008010.jpg

2008025.jpg
 
These are the Blue Book of Gun Values 29th Edition values listed, as per condition.
100% - $5,000
98% - $4,000
95% - $2,750
90% - $2,000
80% - $1,250
70% - $900
60% - $750
 
Jim Keenan said:
I doubt anyone would seriously care in that case, but a gun with the serial number removed is illegal to own.
Click to expand...
What if the gun originally had a serial number but, as is possible with this gun, it was removed prior to 1968 (ie before serial numbers were required)?
 
It doesn't matter if it was removed in 1968 or 1940 , it had a serial number and it's been removed. 1968 has nothing to do with it. If the number can not be restored the gun is bad news.
 
Nofate since you're in Canada there might be issues about owning it AND a premium on what it's worth. That guide is for the American market, not yours.
 
OH and FYI, everyone please remember to start your OWN NEW THREAD if you have a firearm that needs to be IDed/researched/valued. If you add onto someone else's thread we might lose you in the shuffle.
 
Many colt 1903's had the serial number stamped on the underside of the slide, visible when the slide is pulled back, just behind the firing pin. My two 1903-32's do not, but my 1926-.380 does.
 
Before anyone gets carried away with the idea of "restoring" that gun, no ethical restorer would take on the job, the gun is just too far gone. A so-called "restorer" might grind it down more on a belt sander, "restore" the markings with an electric pencil and give it a quick dip in the bluing tank, making it worth even less than it is.

If the gun has sentimental value, keep it as is. If you want a Colt Pocket Model to shoot, they can be bought with little finish for under $300, less than you would pay for a worthless "restoration." Even nice ones, with lots of original blue, only run $600 or so.

Jim
 
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