Colt Model M 1903

[CarmelHP]

I have seen conflicting sources and non irrefutable evidence of Patton carrying either the 1903 or 1908 and sometimes both. Do you have any links?

I just received Vol 1 and 2 of E.S. Meadows' "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols" which were stupidly expensive. He doesn't answer the questions but says in Endnotes that Brunner in "COLT POCKET HAMMERLESS AUTOMATIC PISTOLS" lists pistols given to General Officers by individual serial number. But that's another $80 and my wife was already giving me the fish-eye for the Meadows' books.

 

[Titanium_Frost]

I just received Vol 1 and 2 of E.S. Meadows' "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols" which were stupidly expensive. He doesn't answer the questions but says in Endnotes that Brunner in "COLT POCKET HAMMERLESS AUTOMATIC PISTOLS" lists pistols given to General Officers by individual serial number. But that's another $80 and my wife was already giving me the fish-eye for the Meadows' books.

Too bad both models were called the same thing besides the model year designation.

 

[CarmelHP]

Too bad both models were called the same thing besides the model year designation.

You can tell the caliber by the serial number range that it falls in.

 

[Titanium_Frost]

You can tell the caliber by the serial number range that it falls in.

I knew you could tell the date, but my serial number is just 6 digits and AFAIK all Model 1903s were sequentially numbered. How do the 1908s differentiate?

 

[CarmelHP]

I knew you could tell the date, but my serial number is just 6 digits and AFAIK all Model 1903s were sequentially numbered. How do the 1908s differentiate?

The serial number number ranges tell if they were built as .32 or .380. As luck would have it, as I was shelving the Meadows' books tonight I ran across my forgotten copy of Pate's "U.S. Handguns of World War II: The Secondary Pistols and Revolvers." According to Pate, Patton was issued Colt M model serial number 135170 in .380. If you look at the serial number ranges, you'll see that Type IV serials 93001-136000 were built in .380 with 135170 being built in 1942. See, http://www.coltautos.com/mmpd.htm.

 

[ghitch75]

i got the same animal 1908 380......still shoots great and the bore looks like a sewer pipe...

 

[HJezler]

great classic pistol with tons of history. enjoy!

 

[DoggyDaddy]

The serial number number ranges tell if they were built as .32 or .380. As luck would have it, as I was shelving the Meadows' books tonight I ran across my forgotten copy of Pate's "U.S. Handguns of World War II: The Secondary Pistols and Revolvers." According to Pate, Patton was issued Colt M model serial number 135170 in .380. If you look at the serial number ranges, you'll see that Type IV serials 93001-136000 were built in .380 with 135170 being built in 1942. See, http://www.coltautos.com/mmpd.htm.

Thanks for that link! DoggyMama's dad is coming over this morning. Going to strip the gun down, clean and lube (he's never done this) and then go shoot it. I'm anxious to see it (and shoot it)!

 

[BigDaddysGunsandMore]

Good sturdy gun. It should shoot and hold up well. Make sure that you clean it. You should be able to find plenty of articles on how to tear it down on the internet.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Got it taken apart, cleaned and lubed... Finish is a little rough, but appears to be in good shape over all. It was made in 1930...

*ETA* It's a good little shooter too. I only put 3 mags through it, but it was pretty accurate. Sights are a little hard to see.

 

[ghitch75]

i resprung mine......Wolff makes'm.....

Springs for COLT 1903 & 1908 <BR> POCKET HAMMERLESS <BR> .32 & .380 ACP Semi-Auto Pistols

 

[Mgderf]

I traded into mine (1903 .32) a couple of years ago. Though it's not a magnum round, I carry it on occassion. It shoots as well as I do.

Very nice, solid gun.

 

[Titanium_Frost]

Any updates? I shot mine over the weekend and at 7 yards put 8 rounds through one ragged hole with two about an inch away. I have witnesses too!

 

[sparkyfender]

Wonderful old gun, anemic caliber be damned.........

I wish I had one in my stash!

 

[Titanium_Frost]

Wonderful old gun, anemic caliber be damned.........

I wish I had one in my stash!

I still wouldn't want shot with one!

Some European police agencies still issue .32acp they just call it 7.65 Browning and its a little hotter.