how can i tell what bbl. this is?

[mick53]

hi,

i have 2 barrels that go to a 1903/08 Colt Pocket Hammerless. I can't tell if they are .32 or .380.

i don't have any tools to measure them. is there a way to tell what they are?

i have some .380 rounds but not .32. if i try to insert a .380 round into the barrel it almost fits but not quite.

mike

 

[Onmilo]

If a .380 doesn't drop fit the chamber, chances are real good that you have a couple of .32 acp barrels.
Colt hammerless barrels were not marked for caliber until some half million guns had been made.
Colt hammerless barrels also come in two lengths.
Very early guns featured four inch barrels but the majority of production was in three and three quarter inch length.
If you have a dial caliper handy you can use the internal dimension bars to rough check the bore at the muzzle.
Let the bars rest against the lands at the muzzle.
If the reading is between .306 to .310 the barrels are caliber .32.
If the reading is between .350 to .360 the barrels are caliber .380.HTH

 

[GaryP]

i have some .380 rounds but not .32. if i try to insert a .380 round into the barrel it almost fits but not quite.

Well, "almost fits but not quite" should answer this mystery for you.
They are .32ACP barrels.