disassembly help needed!!

[hornet41]

I have what I believe is a 1905 colt auto pistol I got when my father passed away. Some idiot in the past (not my father) chrome plated it and in the buffing process took most of the markings on the slide off!! However, I can make out the following on the right side of the slide: automatic Colt, caliber 38 rimless smokeless. S/N is 31166. I can't for the life of me figure out how to break it down for cleaning. I have numerous auto's and none of them are built anywhere close to this thing!! I'm stumped!!!
Also, as the pistol is in excellent condition, I would like to shoot it. What ammo would it take??? Thanks for any responce!! 'Mo

 

[686+]

I think you slide the slide back some and then rotate the barrell. Could be a differnet colt I am thinking off. Look for a line on the slide or frame near the muzzle.

 

[dfariswheel]

Here's an online owner's manual that should be valid for your Colt:
http://www.stevespages.com/pdf/colt_automatic_pistol_pocket_model,_caliber_.38.pdf

Here's a good Colt automatic pistols web site with a lot of info on the older models.
http://www.coltautos.com/

The .38 Colt takes an obsolete, LOW PRESSURE .38 auto cartridge.
DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT shoot .38 Super ammo in one of these older guns.

As far as I know, the .38 ACP is no longer available so you have to load your own, using .38 Super brass.

To determine when your Colt was made, identify the actual model, then check the data base here:
http://proofhouse.com/colt/

 

[Jim K]

The web sites should help, but it is really simple.

Hold the gun in the right hand. Turn it on its left side. Push in on the concave plug at the front of the slide. The slide stop (key) will fall out.

Pull the slide back all the way and remove it.

Further disassembly is not recommended.

Jim

 

[hornet41]

Thanks for the replys gentlemen!! I really appreciate it!! It really had me puzzled. I guess it was so simple I just couldn't figure it out!
I'm not set up to load .38, but will research the .38 APC and see about loading for it.