Colt 1902 38 Rimless Smokeless Nickel Plated

[Malvin]

I have a chance to purchase a Colt 1902 Nickel Plated 38 Rimless Smokeless pistol. It has the following printed on it. Colts Pt Fa Mfg Co. Hartford Ct USA 1897-1902 Auto Colt 38 Rimless Smokeless Serial # 42573. It has fake stag grips and the magazine is original. It appears to be in working order. It is not a military version. Did Colt offer this model nickel plated from the factory. The pistol is by no means in excellent condition and there is some pitting. The barrel looks to be about 5 inches long. From what I have read the cartridge is the same size as the 38 Super and I know a Super cartridge shoud never be fired in this pistol. I don't know what to offer him and would appreciate some advice. Thanks Malvin [email protected]

 

[WardenWolf]

Some pictures would help. The cartridge honestly sounds like another name for .380 ACP, but that cartridge wasn't introduced until 1908 so it can't be that.

 

[squarles67]

I'm no expert on the old Colts but 38 rimless smokeless = 38 ACP.

As you've already figured out 38 ACP and 38 Super are the same dimensions but the super is loaded to much higher pressure

 

[WardenWolf]

Just did some more research. The 1903, in .380, was indeed stamped "Calibre 38 rimless smokeless". So what you have there is a .380 ACP.

 

[squarles67]

Here is some info http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/1902ACP/1902acp.html

 

[PRD1]

There was, in fact...

a (Sporting) Model 1902 in .38 ACP. If, however, the barrel length is aproximately 5", it is more likely that what you have described is a Model 1903 Pocket Model, also in .38 ACP, much larger than, and not to be confused with the similarly-named 1903 Pocket Model in .32 ACP. The .380 Pocket Model pistol was the model 1908, and introduced in that year.
PRD1 - mhb - Mike

 

[bannockburn]

Malvin

The Model 1902 Military had a 6" barrel so you might want to check the measurements again. It had a squared grip frame and was also equipped with a lanyard swivel and a frame mounted slide stop. The Model 1903 Hammer was essentially a shortened version of the Model 1902 Sporting and had a 4.5" barrel. It would not have been marked as "Model 1903" but would have used the 1897 and 1902 patent dates in its description. Serial numbers for both models eventually ran togther and as such would have been built in early 1920. As far as I can tell they were only offered with a blued finish so your gun may have been nickel or chrome plated after it left the factory.

 

[rcmodel]

From the serial # it appears to be a Model 1903 Pocket Hammer in .38 Automatic Colt made in 1920.
Not .380 ACP.

Barrel length is 4 1/2", OAL 7 1/2", weight 32 oz.

It was made only in blued finish as far as I can determine.

Since it apparenty has been nickel refinished at some later date, and condition isn't all that great either?

Any collector intrest & value is not going to be there.
And it wouldn't be much of a shooter at the price of .38 Colt rimless ammo.

rc

 

[Malvin]

Thanks to help from members I have discovered it is a Colt 1903 sporting. Someone said the 1903 was available with a nickel finish from the factory. Malvin

 

[Jim Watson]

There is not a 1903 sporting. There is a 1902 sporting and a 1903 pocket (hammer).

Of the 1903 pocket, Sam Lisker says on ColtAutos.com

Most pistols were manufactured with a blue finish and black molded hard rubber grips. Some other factory variations were manufactured including those that are inscribed, engraved and nickel plated. Factory stocks in smooth walnut, checkered walnut, mother of pearl and ivory were also available for this model.

Maybe pictures would get you some more information here.

 

[Malvin]

Colt 1903 Pocket Hammer

I found out it will cost $100.00 to find out from the Colt factory if the pistol was nickel plated from the factory. Malvin

 

[bannockburn]

Malvin

If it were me I would consider $100 on a factory letter money well spent if it can answer the question as to what the original finish was when the gun left the factory.

 

[Jim Watson]

Close clear pictures here would get you some expert opinions on the originality of the nickel plate. If someone here spots changed contours or plating over pits and wear, it would save you the hundred for the Colt letter and give you leverage on the purchase price, assuming you still wanted it. I don't consider nickel plate in combination with fake stag grips to be a good sign.