My Colt 1908 vest pocket in the diminutive .25 acp

[IsoMAcK]

I'm an insomniac this time of the year, and have been cleaning out the handgun safe. Thought I'd snap a few pics of something that we don't see everyday. Pretty good condition Colt 1908, in it's slightly tattered box, with the original hang tag and receipt from december 24th, 1924, for your viewing pleasure. (last minute Christmas present for someone, back in the day!)

When I hear talk of the little .25 acp, this always comes immediately to mind. I never carry it, (or anything smaller than .45 acp or .357 mag, but some folks certainly have. This thing is surprisingly loud as heck to shoot, but reliable, and I have always felt like the performance was somewhere around a 22lr for defense purposes, depending on the ammo. I do not know much about how this was received in American culture when it was on the market, or if anyone still would carry such a thing today, so fellow High Roaders, kindly share any experiences that you may have about this classy little platform. Good or bad.

(yes, I shopped the serial # for privacy reasons, but the first three are in fact, "333" and should be from 1924 as the faded receipt seems to indicate) Thanks in advance for your comments!











Sincerely,

IsoMAcK

 

[BHP FAN]

Holy crud, that's sweet!I love the little grip safety, makeing for a practical ''deep cover'' carry gun, and a classic, too. The straw color on the trigger is still sharp and clear, too. With that in an ankle holster and a Colt .32 or .380 auto IWB, you'd have been well armed in 1930 OR 2010!

 

[PRM]

Nice gun. I had one of those years ago (not that nice). Its one of the guns I sold and have regretted. Those little guns have history in them. When I was a kid, a lot of the old timers carried the little 25s. I know of one Colt that went through WWI.

Even in the mid-70s when I became a deputy sheriff, there were a lot of "veteran officers" who regularly carried a little .25 as a back-up. Funny how attitudes change over time. Although, it would not be a first choice of calibers, the Colts are truly classic firearms.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

pocket pal

I've got one and its a keeper...no box though but I do have two factory magazines for it. I carry it sometimes (seldom) in a Safariland pocket holster.

fun shooter and better than nothing

 

[Shear_stress]

Beautiful little hideout guns. Very cool to have the box, papers, hang tag, and original receipt.

 

[Old Fuff]

One thing to look out for with these pistols (or copies thereof).

The firing pin is also the ejector. So be very careful when extracting/ejecting a live round from the chamber. It is best to remove the magazine and then (while pointing the muzzle in a safe direction) SLOWLY pull the slide backwards and let the round drop down the magazine well.

Also don't dry-fire them, as you can break the long nose on the firing pin.

I have owned several, and sometimes carried them. For whatever it matters I know of several instances where someone who was shot with one became as dead as they would have been if hit with a .357 Magnum or .45 ACP. In all cases the distance was close, and bullet placement combined with a cool shooter did the job. That said, what they represent is a lethal threat, and most people don't want to risk getting shot.

Popular? Browning (Fabrique Nationale) made an identical pistol, and if you include the many copies made in Europe you will find that it was the most popular semi-automatic pistol that was ever made, bar none.

 

[Toml]

Did the garter come with the package or was that a gift from the recipient?

 

[IsoMAcK]

Did the garter come with the package or was that a gift from the recipient?

So thats what that is!!!

 

[Toml]

On second thought, that is probably a man's garter. My dad used these.

Women's garters have loops and tabs into which the stocking is captured or are a simple elastic band.

Excelllent hide-out pistol! My dad had one of these that fit inside a Prince Albert tobacco tin, though I think it was a Browning, not a Colt.

 

[engineer88]

Thanks for sharing. That is such a BEAUTY! I do not think I have ever seen one in so fine of condition. I would love to have one of these. I am a sucker fothe old. 25's. I have a little Colt Junior that I love. I would love to have one these and maybe an Astra for giggles, a baby Browning or at least a Bauer. Thanks very much for sharing!

 

[beemaze]

That's a beautiful example. Thank you for sharing!!

I have one in maybe slightly better shape made in 1924 with the box, missing a flap, and no instructions. Also have one made in 1938 that's also in great shape, but has some rust spots on the slide. And to top it off, I also have a FN/Browning 1905/1906 Vest Pocket that's basically the same gun made only in Belgium and never officially imported into the U.S. It was made between 1905 and 1908 because it lacks a manual safety. My son and I shot it a couple of weeks ago and it worked great. The finish on the old FN is worn at the edges, and barrel pitted/rough, but it still worked and shot like a charm! Nothing like shooting a 100+ year old gun!

I'll have to post pics of all three one day....

 

[Dr.Rob]

Very nice little piece you have there.

I 'inherited' this one from a renter who skipped town. 1921 model his grandmother carried daily, you can tell from the finish wear. I had to replace a few parts (guide rod, spring) as someone had 'deactivated' it. But it still shoots just fine. The catch on the striker that the safety engages is really small, I couldn't imagine carrying it cocked and locked back in the day.

There's no pitting or rust, just finish wear... I may reblue it some day. For now it's just a bit of curiosa in my safe that I shoot once in a blue moon.

 

[gpwelding1]

beutiful little colt!

i have one i just finished reblueing.the grips are worn down pretty bad,and i just about had a heartatack when i missscounted howmany shots i had fired,snapped on a empty chamber and broke my fireing pin.but after spending the biggest part of a weekend building up the end of the pin with a tig welder and stainless filler rod.then latheing it back into a fireing pin(not an easy task)it fires and ejects like it were brand new.but it doesnt even compare to yours!you have a beutiful little colt!

 

[MartinS]

Dr. Rob...good photograph, thanks. The little stinger looks good as is, the finish goes along with he film noir plot element of skipping out on the rent. Perfect provenance.

 

[Clark]

I got a 1908 Colt 25acp with a holster for $175 a couple years ago at a gun show.
It was made in 1918
I have shot it plenty.

Two weeks ago my brother got Colt 25acp for $180. He has not shot it yet.

We are really good at finding gunshow deals.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

A man's sleeve garter (if that is what is being referred to) is period correct for the gun.

 

[cheygriz]

Sweet!

 

[mopar92]

Lost a 9/10 condition nickel plated gem in a divorce years ago... Loved that little pistol..