WTK - Colt 1903 value

[Mac Attack]

I stopped by a local Gun shop today and saw a excellent condition Colt 1903 Hammer in 38 ACP with a serial number of 444xx. I handled it and it looked and felt great. Other than a few fine scratches on the slide it looks mint almost too mint. The finish is a nice dark shade of blue and the barrel looked great. I didn't take it apart because neither myself or the salesman knew how to field strip it. The 1903 is in what I would call 98% and includes one single tone mag that says Colt 38 ACP on the floor plate. The shop is asking $1450 for it but will drop down to $1200. I wish I could have taken some pictures of it but forgot my camera cell phone at home. What do you think, is this a good deal or should I pass.

Also, this same shop also had a Colt hammerless at $699. I did not see what caliber it was but is this worth the investment as well?

Mac

 

[Old Fuff]

The .38 (Hammer) Colt automatics were made in three basic configurations, Sporting, Military, and Pocket. To determine the value one would have to know exactly what you were looking at.

At $700.00 the Pocket Model is way overpriced unless there is something unusual about the gun.

 

[XavierBreath]

Here is a website that will help you learn about these wonderful pistols. Use the quick search feature to go to the 1903 Pocket Hammer. Old guns like this are truely worth what someone will pay for them. They are unusual, and uncommon. I've seen them priced similarly. I haven't seen them sell.

 

[conwic]

I am assuming that you know that the 38 ACP ( not 380 ACP) cartridge is no longer made and that shooting its "son" the 38 super in this type gun is quite dangerous. This is certainly not a gun you will be able to take to the range unless you also collect antique cartridges.

The second gun, the hammerless 03 could be one of two guns. Same design, different sizes, both by John Moses Browning -as was the hammer 03. The Browning 03 was made in Europe by FN as service pistol for Swedish and other Armies and was in - if I remember right- a 9mm Browning which is also no longer made, though some have been converted (?) to 380 ACP. Not a Colt, but I've heard it called that. Not common over here but not really a rare gun. The most likily possibility is the very popular model M 1903 Colt made in 32 ACP and ( as model 08) in 380 ACP. Well over half a million made. Again, not a rare gun though some , like those which were issued to General officers in the American Army, may be quite valuable because of a proven connection to an individual. I have a Colt 03 in 32 ACP ; it is a fun gun to shoot though a pain to disassemble.

I am no expert, but both guns sound a bit high. I'de get a real expert's opinion before I shelled out that sort of money. There is a Colt website - www.coltautos.com- which may be use to you.

Hope this helps- conwic