Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP Parkerized No Reserve

This 1944 Colt Model 1903 Hammerless Pocket Automatic Pistol is offered with a Colt factory archive letter. This 1903 pocket hammerless is an early semi-automatic pistol chambered in .32 ACP. This firearm is one of John Moses Browning’s earlier designs for Colt’s Manufacturing Company before the infamous M1911. Although the name implies this is a hammerless pistol, don’t let it fool you, the hammer can be found under the slide. This was a large advance at the time in engineering to make firearms more concealable and allow for a smooth draw from a pocket if needed.

This 1903 has a parkerized finish throughout, which is a durable phosphate coating that helps protect steel from corrosion and wear. Some silvering can be seen, associated with common wear patterns. 

The ejection port of the slide reads “COLT AUTOMATIC” and “CALIBRE 32 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. Just below the slide “U.S. PROPERTY” can be seen on the frame. The take-down arrow can be seen on the right, at the end of the slide lower. The Springfield Armory “Crossed Cannon” inspection cartouche can be seen on the left side at the rear of the frame. 

The bore’s rifling shows bright and sharp. The outer of the barrel markings are “COLT 32 AUTO”. The dissembled firearm shows clean internals and a serial-matched slide. This 1903 includes a single magazine stamped “CAL. 32 COLT” 

The grips are Colt’s signature walnut, which shows their age nicely with sharp checkering throughout a majority, some minor flattening of the checkers can be seen on the left grip, and a small chip on the bottom of the right grip. The Colt medallion shows some discoloration in the recess and the Colt Rampant pony is easily depicted. 

The Colt Factory Letter says this M1903 was sold to the United States Government and shipped to the Springfield Armory. Guns in the shipment totaled 1,583, the date of shipment was December 30, 1944.