Colt 1908 pocket vest .25 - can you help?

[JaredP]

hey everybody,
hopefully someone out there can help me because i've hit a wall. My grandfather gave me a Colt model 1908 pocket vest .25 a few years back while i was in the Marines, and after years of keeping it as personal protection, i started researching into the history of the weapon. The serial number puts it in the 4XX, four hundred and some numbers, and this has it made in 1908 - the first year produced.

But before i start losing my mind and grow a permanent grin, i want to make sure that this is the real deal. There's no scratches on or around the numbers, it has walnut grips, and everything is original. It has minor rust that can be cleaned and is blue steel with the top being faded, not scratched simply rubbed off with time, but the second line of ' "protector" ' can easily be seen.

Can anyone please help me with this? If possible before Thanksgiving, long shot i know, or even Christmas in hopes that i can polish it up and bring it to him on the holidays with the history he never knew.

Thanks

 

[Loosedhorse]

The Browning "vest pocket" .25 is usually termed the "1905," but that varies. A second variation (the "three safeties," with the addition of a safety/slide-lock lever) began in 1908.

Photos are your friend. Failing that, is this a "two safeties" model, with grip safety but without safety lever?

I'm not sure from your OP, but it seems the word "Protector" is engraved on the pistol? Such a legend was not placed on Browning pistols, AFAIK. But Astra-made copies had that label, I believe.

 

[KodiakBeer]

Does it have the Colt markings? Astra made a knock-off of the Browning .25 known as the protector.

 

[IsoMAcK]

That sounds like a first-year to me. I have never personally seen/handled one, but I did see a lower serial number than mine in rather mint shape for over $1100 firm without a box. Here is mine from 1923-24, with box and original 12/24/1924 receipt.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=546387

I really like it, but only as a curiosity. I would not want to rely on it to save my life, but I certainly would give it a shot if i had to! These are going to be bigger collectors some day in my opinion, especially a first-year, I would guess desired in a historical sense like the remington derringer rimfires of yore. Plus, having a piece of your grandfather's history is priceless. I would not ever sell my family guns, by any means. I just wish we had more.

IsoMAcK

 

[jfrey]

A call to the Colt factory will help you a lot. My vest pocket is serial no. 69XX and they told me it was made in 1912. It should have the colt on the grips and have Colt markings on the gun. If it doesn't say Colt, it isn't. Be careful cleaning it up as you can destroy some ofd the value with too much clearing. Doug Turnbull can restore it to new condition if you want to spend the money(it ain't cheap).

 

[Hondo 60]

http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/1908Colt/1908colt.html


Here's a web site with great info on the Model1908 vest pocket