Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless 1937 .32 ACP No Reserve

This 1937 Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless semi-automatic pistol is chambered in .32 ACP at an 8-round capacity and offered with a Colt factory archive letter and a Hieser Holster. The M1903 was popular in the civilian market, as it was high power for the time and easily carried. The M1903 does have history with the military as well, often referred to as the “General Officers Pistol”. The Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless, does use a hammer concealed under the slide of the pistol despite its name.  

This 1903 is finished in Blue, features a fixed blade sight and checkered walnut grips with a flush Colt Medallion. The M1903 is 6 3/4 inches in length overall and has a 3 ¾ inch barrel. The finish is deep throughout and only a few superficial handling marks can be seen across the slide, front strap, and grip safety.  

The right side of the slide is marked “COLT AUTOMATIC” and “CALIBRE 32 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. The slides left side reads “COLT’S PT.F.A. MFG CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” “PATENTED APR. 20, 1897. DEC. 22, 1903” on the trigger guards left bow a “VP” in triangle below a “p”. The Rampant Colt shows sharp behind the serrations on the slide. “524521” in crisp serif styled characters, on the left side of the frame above the trigger.  

The leading edges of this M1903 are in good condition, with some silvering on the high edges. The muzzle itself is smooth but shows minimal specs of surface discoloration. Bore is in excellent condition with distinct rifling, and bright in color. The slide has a matching serial number of the frame stamped on the underside. The internals show minimal cycling wear.  

The 1903 walnut grips are darker color and show sharp checkering throughout with no major handling marks. Screw heads show mostly black with little to no tool marking. The Colt medallions show clean and are the flush type. The magazine included is a crimped full blue in finish, excellent condition with little silvering. The markings on the magazine are sharp “CAL .32 COLT”   

The Colt archive letter states this M1903 General Officers pistol shipped to Salt Lake City, Utah to Zion Co-Op Merc. Inst. on May 12, 1937, in a 2-gun shipment. Included in the sale along with the factory letter, is an Open top Hieser Holster of Denver stamped 920.