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Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP & Model 1908
Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP - Standard Variation Type I
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Advertisement ca. 1904 for the new
Automatic Colt Pistol.
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP serial number
469 - Factory letter indicates that this pistol was shipped
to Pacific Hardware & Steel Company, San Francisco,
California on July 30, 1903 in a 20 gun shipment. Pistol
has all of the earliest features found on this model.
- High polish blue finish
- 4" barrel
- Separate barrel bushing
- Fire blued small parts
- No opposing screw on the thumb safety
- Plunge milled serrations
- 1897 Patent Date Only
- Type I grips
- Full blued unmarked magazine
- Early sights
1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 serial number 469 - top view of
slide.
Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 serial number 469 - right
side.
Type I Barrel bushing and fire blued plug.
Right side view of thumb safety - this variation pre-dates
the use of the opposing thumb safety screw.
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32
ACP Serial Number 7222 Type I (left side) (ca 1904) -
with separate barrel bushing and 4" barrel. (.32 sn range 1
- 72000) (NOTE: No .380s with 4" barrels were
manufactured) This example, serial number 7222 (produced
in 1904) has the early "plunge milled" slide serrations and
"Browning's Patent" slide marking. There is no "VP"
(Verified Proof) marking on the upper left flat of the
trigger guard. The Verified Proof mark was not added until
1905. It retains much of its original high polish blue
finish. Notice the turquoise or "fire blue" small parts.
"BROWNING'S PATENT" and "APRIL
20, 1897" patent date present from serial number 1 to
approximately 10000.
Plunge milled serrations from serial
number 1 to approximately 25000.
Right side of 7222.
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32
ACP Serial Number 8164 Type I (left side) (ca 1904) -
with separate barrel bushing and 4" barrel. (.32 sn range 1
- 72000) (NOTE: No .380s with 4" barrels were
manufactured) This example, serial number 8164 (produced
in 1904) has the early "plunge milled" slide serrations and
"Browning's Patent" slide marking. There is no "VP"
(Verified Proof) marking on the upper left flat of the
trigger guard. The Verified Proof mark was not added until
1905. It retains much of its original high polish blue
finish. Notice the turquoise or "fire blue" small parts.
Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 serial number 8164 - right
side.
1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 serial number 8164 - top view of
slide.
Type I Barrel bushing and fire blued plug on serial number
8164.
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32
ACP Serial Number 10995 Type I (left side) (ca. 1904) -
This example has the same external and mechanical features
as serial number 7222 pictured above, but the DEC. 22,
1903 patent date has been added to the slide. Still no
"VP" mark on the upper left flat of the trigger guard.
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32
ACP Serial Number 10995 Type I (right side)
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32
ACP Serial Number 32939 Type I (left side) (ca. 1905) -
with "Browning's Patent" slide marking and triangular cut
serrations. This example has the "VP" on the upper left
flat of the trigger guard.
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32
ACP Serial Number 32939 Type I (right side) - Unlike
color case hardened takedown plugs on later variations of
the Type I, the takedown plug on this example is high
polished blue (see below). This is the same finish used on
other small parts on this pistol.
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32
ACP Serial Number 43306 Type I (left side) (ca. 1906) -
All small parts including takedown plug are fire blued on
this example. Note that the word "PATENTED" has
replaced "BROWNING'S PATENT" on the left side slide
roll marks.
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32
ACP Serial Number 43306 Type I (right side)
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32
ACP Serial Number 59594 Type I (left side) (ca. 1907)
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32
ACP Serial Number 59594 Type I (right side) (ca. 1907)
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