Make: Colt

Model: 1903 Pocket Hammerless, Type III

Serial Number: 147902

Year of Manufacture: 1913

Caliber: .32 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 3 3/4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a round-top "U"-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with "COLT" in banner across their tops and rampant colt over a stylized "C" at the bottom. The right panel is cracked at the rear edge across the screw hole. The grips otherwise show minor handling wear with a few small marks. The checkering is well defined. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue slide & frame, Chrome barrel.

Finish Originality: The blue finish is Original, the barrel has been Refinished.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8-9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered faint surface oxidation with a few spots of minor erosion on the left slide flat above the dust cover. There are a few light nicks and scratches. There is a spot of finish wear in the frontstrap near the bottom and a few other spots of light wear. The action shows operational wear. The screw head is lightly tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 8-round two-tone magazine.

Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless is a semi-automatic pistol designed by John Browning, and was the 1st of the Colt concealed hammer models, followed by the M1908 in .380 ACP. Despite the title 'Hammerless', the M1903 and M1908 pistols do have a hammer, which is covered and hidden from view under the rear of the slide. This allowed the weapon to be carried in and withdrawn from a pocket quickly and smoothly without snagging. These pistols were popular civilian firearms for much of their life, seeing use on both sides of the law as well as for lawful recreational shooting.

This example was produced in 1913 and remains in Very Good condition. It retains the majority of its original blue finish with a nice bore in its chrome-refinished barrel. Despite being more than 100 years old, it should still prove to be a good shooter. This is also a nice example of the Type III 1903 for the Colt collectors out there. Please see our photos and good luck!