Colt to remake 1908????

[Blacksmoke]

This month's "American Rifleman" claims Colt is reissuing the 1908 in a limited number. They will be Parkerized and some stamped with the names of WWII USA Generals.

The Colt website makes no mention of this.

A new 1908 would be nice to own.

Anyone know about this?

 

[rcmodel]

There was a long thread on it in January.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=771751&highlight=Colt+1908

rc

 

[Old Fuff]

Be aware that Colt isn't making this pistol (which is a .32 Model 1903, not a .380 Model 1908); they simply licensed another company so they could use Colt markings and the design. The pistol that's been shown on various Internet sites and at the recent SHOT Show was a genuine Colt that was Parkerized and marked with a U.S. Property stamp to represent what they proposed to make, not what they are actually making - at least at this time.

The supposed retail price for this version is $1,300 - and like the original General Officer's Model will not be engraved with any particular General's name. To do that they'd have to have the General's permission, or that of his estate.

For the proposed price or a bit more you could likely buy a like-new pistol that was made by Colt, not a licensed copy.

 

[19-3Ben]

Be aware that Colt isn't making this pistol ... they simply licensed another company so they could use Colt markings and the design.

Do we know which company is being contracted to build it? Are they also finishing or just machining/assembling?

 

[Blacksmoke]

That makes more sense. I had trouble believing Colt would dig out the tools to make the 1908 and in a limited run.

 

[rcmodel]

They couldn't dig out the tools if they wanted too.
All that was scrapped during WWII in order to make room for other stuff.

rc

 

[Old Fuff]

Do we know which company is being contracted to build it? Are they also finishing or just machining/assembling?

Name of the company is U.S. Armament Corp. They have a website, but it's under construction. Previously they made a replica 45-70 Gatling Gun that was sold under the Colt name.

Apparently this arrangement is similar to the one where the 3rd Issue (Sometimes called the Colt Signature Issue) cap & ball revolvers were made under a license from Colt, but were not considered to be a Colt product, nor a product associated with the Colt factory.

If the project goes forward the entire pistol will be made at the U.S. Armament Corp. facility using (I presume) a combination of in-house made and supplier purchased, parts.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Name of the company is U.S. Armament Corp. They have a website, but it's under construction. Previously they made a replica 45-70 Gatling Gun that was sold under the Colt name.

Oh that's who made them! I was seeing them on Gunbroker for like 50 or 60 thousand and I was really surprised Colt would make them.

 

[popeye]

A friend of mine does an excellent job restoring old firearms. He amazes me making replacement screws and escutcheons in his basement shop. He recently made a replacement flat leaf trigger spring for a S&W Model 1 he owns. (you'd have to see the process to be impressed)) At any rate last years sought after item for him was the Colt 1903, so over 2-3 months he bought 4 of them and a 1908. All were $400-$600 ea. and not a "beater" amongst them. Firing pin bushing on one was a problem. I'm just saying originals are out there and well under $1300.

 

[Old Fuff]

At any rate last years sought after item for him was the Colt 1903, so over 2-3 months he bought 4 of them and a 1908. All were $400-$600 ea. and not a "beater" amongst them. Firing pin bushing on one was a problem. I'm just saying originals are out there and well under $1300.

Yup, and that's one reason the Old Fuff isn't going to budget $1,300 or more for what amounts to an aftermarket copy.

If indeed it sees the light of day.