Make: Colt

Model: 1903, Pocket Hammerless

Serial Number: 291272

Year of Manufacture: Delivered December 2, 1918

Caliber: .32 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic Pistol fed by Detachable 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-topped "U"-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece pearl panels with Colt medallions. The grips show light handling wear and minor discoloration. There are a few minor, shallow grain-line cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original, the slide is serial-matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is even minor erosion through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7+/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 50% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas, mostly toward the muzzle-end. There is similar wear on the slide toward the bottom-front. There are some scattered minor nicks and tiny scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw head is sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 8-round magazine and a Colt Archives letter. The letter confirms that this pistol was produced with blue finish, pearl grips and factory engraved, delivered to the office of Leslie Goodrich in Colt's Patent Fire-Arms building on December 2, 1918 as the only gun of its type in the delivery.

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 This allowed the weapon to be carried in and withdrawn from a pocket quickly and smoothly without snagging.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, and also served as United States General Officer pistols from the 1940s until their replacement by the M15 General Officers pistol in the 1970s. The Office of Strategic Services issued the Model 1903 to its officers during World War II and it was a popular back-up/off-duty model with police officers in the United States. Gangsters also favored this pistol, including Bonnie Parker and John Dillinger.

This example is rather special for a couple of reasons. First, and most obvious are the factory pearl grips and engraving. It is estimated that only about 2,300 of the M1903 pistols shipped from the factory with pearl grips while only 726 were engraved. Of particular interest to the Colt collectors was this pistol's original owner. Leslie Goodrich was in Colt's financial department and at this time may have been Assistant Treasurer. In 1939 he would be promoted to Treasurer. This pistol was delivered directly to his office in the Colt building in late 1918. This combination of features and history make for a wonderful pistol to add to even an advanced collection. Good luck and happy bidding!