Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
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Colt Model 1903 Hammerless 32 Pocket Auto
Model 1903 Hammerless 32 Pocket Automatic Pistol a.k.a. “Model M.” Manufactured c. 1903-46; total quantity over 572,000.
32 ACP Caliber. Magazine capacity 8 shots. Barrel lengths 4" and later 3-3/4".
Three types of hard rubber grips with COLT and rampant colt embossed motifs used through 1924; balance of production checkered walnut with Colt medallion inlays. Blued finish standard; a large number nickel plated with pearl/medallion grips.
Serial numbered from 1 through 572215 including a small group marked U.S. PROPERTY. A variety of slide markings have been catalogued, to be expected from such a large total manufacture. Patent dates (earliest production 1897 only; later 1903 added) and Colt company name and Hartford address standard on left side; right side marked AUTOMATIC COLT which changed to COLT AUTOMATIC c. 1915; second line CALIBRE 32 RIMLESS SMOKELESS.
Few models of any Colt handgun outnumber the diminutive 1903 Hammerless 32 in total quantity produced. The first concealed hammer automatic in the firm’s line, it offers the collector a number of variations, particularly in markings and grip styles.
Major variations are:
1st Type: 4" barrel with barrel bushing; serial range from 1 to 71999:
| 5B-227 | Values—Very Good $200 | Exc. $550 |
5B-227
2nd Type: 3-3/4" barrel with barrel bushing; serial range 72000 to 105050:
| 5B-228 | Values—Very Good $175 | Exc. $425 |
3rd Type: 3-3/4" barrel without barrel bushing; serial range 105051 to 468096:
| 5B-229 | Values—Very Good $165 | Exc. $350 |
4th Type (Commercial): 3-3/4" barrel with added magazine safety; serial range 468097 to 554000:
| 5B-229.5 | Values—Very Good $165 | Exc. $350 |
4th Type (Military): 3-3/4" barrel with added magazine safety. Right frame marked U.S. PROPERTY. Blue (worth premium) or Parkerized finish. Serial range 554001 to 572214:
| 5B-230 | Values—Very Good $750 | Exc. $1,750 |
Colt Model 1905 45 Automatic Pistol
Model 1905 45 Automatic Pistol. Manufactured 1905-11; in a total run of approximately 6,100. Plus special military contract in separate serial group (201 made).
45 rimless smokeless caliber. Magazine capacity 7 shots. Barrel length 5". Snub hammer changed to spur type after serial range 3600.
Grips of checkered and varnished walnut. Blued finish; the hammer casehardened.
Serial numbered from 1 on up. Two basic types of markings on left side of the slide; the first having 1897 and 1902 patent dates, with Colt company name and Hartford address, the second also having 1905 date, with Colt name and Hartford address. On the right side of all slides: AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS.
The Model 1905 was Colt’s first automatic chambered for 45 caliber ammunition; the cartridge was a forerunner of the 45 ACP. Readily identifiable features are the nearly vertical grip angle, the 45 rimless smokeless caliber, and the rectangular slide shape (lacking the escalloped lower section standard on the Model 1911 45 Automatics).
Major variations are:
Early model, having 1897 and 1902 patent dates in the slide marking (serial range below about 700):
5B-231
| 5B-231 | Values—Very Good $1,250 | Exc. $4,000 |
Standard model, with 1897, 1902, and 1905 patent dates on the slide (serial range above about 700):
5B-232
| 5B-232 | Values—Very Good $775 | Exc. $3,250 |
Shoulder stocked pistols; the stocks of metal and leather, doubling as holsters; pistols have grooved frames to accept stock attachment, and are within specific serial number ranges. Classified “Curio & Relic” and subject to the provisions of Gun Control Act. Complete with stock:
| 5B-233 | Values—Very Good $6,500 | Exc. $17,500 |
Special military variation, numbered within individual serial range of 1 - 201, and known to collectors as the 1907 contract pistol; has K.M. inspector stamping, lanyard loop on frame, and external indicator to show if chamber loaded; spur hammer and grip safety:
| 5B-234 | Values—Very Good $7,000 | Exc. $20,000 |
Colt Model 1908 Hammerless 25 Caliber Auto
Model 1908 Hammerless 25 Caliber Automatic Pistol. Factory designation “Model N” denoted frame size. Made c. 1908-41; the total quantity 409,061. The smallest auto in the Colt line.
25 ACP caliber. Magazine capacity 6 shots. Barrel length 2".
Hard rubber, checkered grips with COLT and rampant colt embossed motifs were standard until serial range of about 335000; thereafter checkered walnut with Colt medallion inlays were used. Blued finish standard; fair number in nickel plating.
Individually serial numbered from 1 through 409061. Three basic markings were used on the left side of the slide, earliest type including 1896, 1897, and 1903 patent dates, Colt company and Hartford address marking; the second type adding a 1910 date; and the third type adding a 1917 date. On the right side of the slide, standard throughout manufacture: COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 25.
Basic variants are:
Early production model, with 1896, 1897 and 1903 dates on the left side slide marking; through serial range of about 20000; rubber grips: