32 ACP that had been in production since 1899. The larger round of the Model 1908 meant that only 7 rounds could fit in the magazine, but the new cartridge, developed by John Browning for the Colt 1908, could not compete with the popularity of the. 380 ACP that differed only in chamber/bore size and magazine capacity. The Model 1908 was a nearly identical pistol in. These totals include all five variations of the 1903. Even though production stopped in 1945, so many parts had been produced that they continued to be assembled until 1953, and were issued to general officers in the Army and Air Force as late as the 1970s. They were immediately popular with the public, and approximately 10,000 were sold in the first year. Original Modelsĭesigned by John Moses Browning and initially called Model M by Colt, these “hammerless” pistols were made for over four decades (1903 – 1945) with approximately 572,215 entering civilian production and 200,000 more for the military. In addition to the comparable dimensions, the Colt 1903 has something else going for it that newer pistols simply cannot match: history. Glocks are frequently heralded for their utilitarian nature, but at over one century old, the Colt still holds its own. The larger of the Colt measurements pertain solely to the first variation of the Colt 1903, which ‌‌ accounted for the first 71,999 produced. Here’s how it compares side-by-side with the Glock 43, arguably one of the most anticipated handguns in recent memory. Needless to say, the presence of a Colt 1903 “General Officer’s Pistol” surprised more than a few people.Īlso known as the Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless, even though they possess a shrouded hammer, these classy little pistols are perhaps more at home in today’s world of concealed carry options than most folks recognize. In fact, its roots go back over 100 years.

However, one little pistol stuck out at Shot2015 that was not the usual piece of innovative technology. Annually, new stuff gets unveiled before throngs of both the passionate and the curious. It’s on par with the biggest industry shows in the country: E3, CES, Comic-Con, NRA Convention, etc. For those unfamiliar, Shot Show is basically the Detroit Auto Show of the gun world. At the 2015 Shot Show in Las Vegas there was the usual hullabaloo around a lot of new guns and gadgets, and rightly so. 25 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge. Both pistols were chambered for the Browning-invented. Designed by John Moses Browning, the Model 1908 followed Browning’s earlier European version, introduced by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal as the FN Model 1906. Manufactured by the Colt's Manufacturing Company from 1908 to 1948, it was marketed as a small concealable firearm which could be easily tucked into a vest pocket for unobtrusive carry. 'The Model 1908 Vest Pocket is a compact, hammerless, striker -fired, semi-automatic single-action pistol.

Please look at all photos! Will be Sold 'AS IS'.

I took it apart and the inside is not as rough. I believe the trigger may be a Colt part replacement (not sure, because it is still nicely blued, not like the rest of the gun)? The COLT grips are uniformly worn and old, but maybe period replacements. Note, the magazine is a replacement (stamp 'CAL. The finish is oddly uniformly rough, but not rusty. She was carried in the tropics, or by a bootlegger near a damp creek, or at sea, running loads of prohibition gin from Canada to Boston/Chicago? There are the Good, the Bad and the UGLY! This is a functioning Ugly duckling.

Carrying a 1908 colt 25