Make: Colt

Model: 1908 Vest Pocket

Serial Number: 7601

Year of Manufacture: 1909

Caliber: .25 ACP

Action Type: Striker-Fired Semi-Automatic Detachable Magazine-Fed

Barrel Length: 2"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small blade, the rear sight is a "U"-notch. The sights are integral to the slide at the front and rear of the groove down the center.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with "COLT" in banner across the tops and rampant colt over a sylized "C" at the bottom. The grips have even light handling wear with a few scattered small marks. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Chrome

Finish Originality: Refinished, the slide and frame are serial-matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but generally well defined. There is light-moderate erosion through the bore, more notable in the grooves. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The new finish is generally strong throughout. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches, most not through the finish. The action shows operational wear. The screw head is sharp. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functiona correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a single 6-round magazine and a Colt Archives letter. The letter indicates that this pistol shipped April 19, 1909 to Simmons Hardware Company in St. Louis, Missouri as one of 25 guns of the same type in the shipment.

Our Assessment: The Model 1908 Vest Pocket is a compact, hammerless, striker-fired, semi-automatic pistol. 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 gentleman’s vest pocket for unobtrusive carry. Created by famed firearms designer John Moses Browning, the Model 1908 followed Browning’s earlier European version, the FN Model 1906. This is a fairly early example produced in 1909. It has been refinished in chrome, giving it a distinctive appearance. This is a cute little pistol that can be carried just about anywhere and can be used to round out an early Colt semi-automatic collection. Please see our photos and good luck!