Colt 1903 in .380

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ms6852

ms6852

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I was at the range to day where this young man traded a Colt 1903 in .380 for a Kahr 380 and 100 bucks. The lucky man with the Colt .380 wanted to know what year it was. My friend and I both stated 1903. He went into the store and came back out with a Gun trader catalog and the shooters bible looking for that colt. The lucky man wanted to know the value but this is where it gets iffy.

The gun matched the 1903 model perfectly but just one problem. According to the books Colt did not make a .380 caliber in that year, on a 32 and a 38acp.

Is the 38 ACP the same as the 380 or are this totally different? I took pictures with my cell phone but do not have the technical know how to transfer them to this forum or down load them from my phone.
 
It is offically a COLT Model "M" 1908 Hammerless .380

They were mfgr'd from 1908 until 1944.

To find out the year of mfgr tell him to look up the serial number here:

http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

Some were US Military issue to General Officers and those SN range's are well documented. There is a book where most of the individual SN's are document to what General Officers were issued them.

Lots of good info located here as well.

http://www.coltautos.com/ModelMci.htm

Will
 
Thanks for the clarification, according to the serial number the pistol was manufactured in 1923. The handgun has a great feel and balance to it. I never considered carrying a 380 but I might if I had one of these handguns.

The young man that that traded the handgun had received as a gift from his grandfather 8 years earlier. I hope I get a chance and run into shooters who do not appreciate the gifts they receive from their fathers.

Anyway once again thanks for the clarification guys.
 
I have a model M Colt in .32acp.that I got from my dad. I only shoot a few rounds thru it now &then! I would not get rid of it! Way to many memory's with it! They are good old guns!
 
I suppose that if it were one of Colt's .38 ACP models you wouldn't say it had great feel and balance. ;) I hope I didn't offend anyone out there, I have one of the .38 ACP guns and it was just an early attempt that JMB rectified later, not bad guns, just not great IMHO.
These guns are designated the Colt 1900, 1902, and 1903 Pocket models. The 1903 .32 and 1908 .380 are quite a bit smaller of course.
 
As somebody said on another board, if people did not lack attachment to heirloom guns, the gun collectors would not have anything to swap around.
 
Mod1908_9392.jpg

Proofhouse dates this 1903 .32 ACP to 1909-1910.
It shoots quite well, I wish it could tell me it's story.

Mike
 
As somebody said on another board, if people did not lack attachment to heirloom guns, the gun collectors would not have anything to swap around.
Click to expand...

Very true, so I guess I'm lucky that some people aren't attached to what I consider great old guns, which allows me to buy them up.

I still find it sad though.

This 1903 and 1908 were scarfed up by my father at some point. Given to me as birthday presents. They aren't going to be fodder for gun swaps, that's for sure :)

Stuff4.jpg
 
Wow, all this is very interesting, I just obtained a really nice Colt model 1903, I think, from a retired LA police cop, have been trying to find out about it for a long time, the more I search, the more I get confused, it is in really nice shape and it is a 380 with a low serial number. I do not need it, but I think it might be worth something, what a delimma. There are 32, 380, 38, etc. Nothing is clear. Really easy to get taken in a situation like this! Was just wondering what one is supposed to do?
 
Cocked & Locked,

I like the way you composed that photo, with the vintage ammo, and leather.

I bet it's fun to shoot.
 
Last year I made a personal choice and got rid of all the polymer pistols I accumulated. Whent back to my roots. Colt 1903/32,Colt 1908/380, Browning 1910/380. I have refurbished all of them, new springs etc. All of them point well, group within reasonable parameters and have class.

Cheers,

ts
 
Colt Hammerless Pocket Model pistols come in either .32 ACP or .380 ACP - both cartridges designed by John Browning. The .32 was introduced in 1903, the .380 in 1908. Both are serial numbered in they're own series. When looking up a particular pistol be sure you are looking at the right series.
 
I've had a 1903 Pocket Hammerless in 32acp for a few years now. To me, this is the epitome of what a carry gun is. Smooth lines, slim, easy to carry, accurate all with a great single action trigger.

The original bluing is still all there on mine. It wasn't handed down to me but it will defiantly be with me for life. Serial number shows it to have been made in 1931.

scaled.php
 
Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless - 32 acp
Colt 1908 Pocket Hammerless - 380 acp

Colt 1903 Pocket Hammer - 38acp (different from 380 acp)
 
my colt was handed down from my grandfather. It's a 1908 vest pocket hammerless- 25 acp dated to 1918 from the serial # A bit smaller No cell service here at my home or I would post a pic of it
 
Just was given a 1903 Hammerless 32acp. Mine has been through the ringer. SN# dates it to 1909. At some point frame was allowed to rust and was later cleaned on a wire wheel..sad.. Missing one grip panel, thouh repro parts are out there so no prob there. Looking forward to getting it to the range...
 
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