Found an old Colt treasure

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Rick in Oregon
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Found an old Colt treasure

Post by Rick in Oregon »

The old Colt Model M, or the 1903 and 1908 pocket pistols hold an allure for me; can't explain it, they just do. Anything designed by John Browning just HAS to be good, right? These little gems are like a scaled down 1911, and are like sculped steel masterpieces of Old World craftsmanship chambered only in .32ACP and .380ACP from 1903 until 1945. Having an excellent example of one made in 1920 in .380ACP given to me by a very dear friend, I had longed for one in .32 in good condition also, but could never find one that I could afford.......until I blundered onto this one last week:

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Parkerized and made in mid 1944 during WWII, marked "US Property", so was a general officers pistol, and near the end of production. This is in the best conditon of any I"ve seen in quite a while, so I was a happy guy having found it for a mere pittance from a fellow eager for a new shotgun. The thing is almost new inside and out, and shows almost no use whatever.

While out with my Cooper 20VT working up new loads, I tested the little gun on a deer skull out in the desert at 7 yards with 73gr FMJ ammo that came with the pistol to test function and accuracy.......again I was not disappointed:

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If you've seen any Humphry Bogert movies, you've most likely seen him with one of these little beauties, as as Phillip Marlowe, he always carried one, and usually had one in most of his other movies too. They were the most favored pocket pistol of the era, and even John Dillinger had one on him when he was shot outside the Biograph theater in Chigaco in 1933.

The fact that this one also seems function also with WW Silvertips and shoot them just as well as my .380 Model M is icing on the cake. When cleaning it at home, I noticed the barrel looked like it was brand new with no signs of use. Unbelievable for a pistol made 69 years ago. Anyway, no big deal, just wanted to share the 'new gun' thing with the crew. :D
Semper Fortis
Rick in Oregon
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huntsman22
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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by huntsman22 »

Rick, that's sweet. I love ALL things Colt...
csand
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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by csand »

That's a beauty, Rick! One of my 'treasures' is a Python I bought many years ago.
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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by acloco »

OH!!! That is a beauty!!!

Might want to buy a lottery ticket.....or three!!!
fishnbob
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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by fishnbob »

Outstanding. I want to get back into pistols now that I am reloading but too busy at the moment with work and getting rifles ready for pd season.
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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by Glen »

That is a nice little rig for sure!! Great score Rick!!
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Rick in Oregon
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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by Rick in Oregon »

Thanks guys. Sometimes even a blind hog finds an acorn, right?

Here's the new arrival alongside her safe-mate, the .380 ACP commercial model made in 1920:

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Holding one of these beauties sure does show the fine craftsmanship and materials used long ago compared to factory-new offerings nowadays. No complaints mind you, just noticable differences that are tactile in the hand. The fact that they both shot to POA with tight groups of WW Silvertip HP's and being a 100 year old design is all the more wonder. Thank you John Browning for yet another legacy. :D
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Rick in Oregon
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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by huntsman22 »

Rick, is it bead blasted and parkerized?
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Rick in Oregon
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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by Rick in Oregon »

huntsman22 wrote:Rick, is it bead blasted and parkerized?
Appears to be just that, Don. According to the research I did, it's in original condition as-issued, maybe even un-issued.....dunno but would like to.
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Rick in Oregon
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huntsman22
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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by huntsman22 »

I'd never seen one that wasn't blued.... A Colt historical letter would give provenance. for a fee......
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Rick in Oregon
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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by Rick in Oregon »

Don, there's an extensive article in an old issue of The Accurate Rifle that had lots of info, and referenced a 1988 Gun Digest (glad I kept all mine) article that had even more extensive information, including mfg dates, serial number cutoffs, changes with dates, variances and different models. This is where they reference the US Property markings, confirming that this pistol was only issued to General Officers.

At this point, at least I know what is isn't.......a commercial model, and much more desirable because of low production of this particular conentation. It's a neat little pistol to be sure. Someday I may try to get a letter of authenticity from Colt just to know for sure the "who and when".
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Rick in Oregon
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Captqc
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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by Captqc »

:eek: Holy Cow Rick! What a score!!!! Can't wait to see it in person. Gary
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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by tinytree »

beautiful!!!
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Mickey D
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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by Mickey D »

Great example of the 1908 Pocket Hammerless, gov't issue.!
I also have a liking of the '03 & '08 Colts, as I have three 1903s.


Sorry for the thread drift,
Several years ago I sent one to Wayne D'Angelo for engraving and presented it to my father on Father's Day.
Dad passed in '11, it will now be passed to my son.

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Re: Found an old Colt treasure

Post by Bill K »

Rick.. That is one fine pistol, looks like it goes very well with your other. Great find and deal. Thank you for sharing that and the photo's. :D Bill K :)
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