need help with a Manufacture Date

smokey68dart · January 29, 2006, 03:02 AM

i was just given a colt auto it is a .32 and i think it is a 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 but i want to find out when it was made and a ballpark price for it it has most of the blueing on it and it has some bare spots on the edges but it still shoots good but the SN# is 230xxx it has the org. colt grips on it and the clip is marked cal .32 colt if there is any other info you need just ask thanks for the help

deadin · January 29, 2006, 10:07 AM

If it is a M1903 Hammerless it would be a Type III and would have been made in 1916/17.

Dean

smokey68dart · January 29, 2006, 06:14 PM

any ideas on the value of it? is it something to use,trade off,save??? and what do you mean by type III

deadin · January 29, 2006, 07:39 PM

There are about 4 recognized variations of this model. Type III is the 3rd variation. As to value, I've kind of lost track on Colt values. Maybe someone else will chime in.

Dean

James K · January 30, 2006, 12:26 AM

That gun is what is called a Type III, the most common. Serial numbers were 105,051 - 468,096, manufactured from 1910 to 1926.

Quite a few of those guns turn up in very good to near-perfect condition, since they were often bought as "bureau drawer" guns and never fired. Value runs from around $200 to about $800+, with 10-12 percent extra for the original box and papers. Yours probably falls into the $500 range.

FYI, the Type I is the first type (1-71,999) with the barrel bushing and no magazine safety; barrel length is 4". Type II (72,000 - 105,050) is the same, but with a 3 3/4" barrel. Type III is what you have, with no bushing and no magazine safety.

Type IV (468097 - 572214) has a magazine safety; this type includes the much desired military style pistols, with the "U.S. Property" mark, which were bought for arming general officers, the OSS and other personnel who wanted or needed an unobtrusive pistol.

As to sell or keep, that gun is the most rugged and reliable .32 auto ever made, bar none. While it is single action, and its safety is less than optimal for a defense gun, it is still a fine gun for its size and caliber. One note: do NOT, repeat NOT, try to disassemble it beyond removal of slide and barrel for cleaning. It is NOT a 1911, and was NOT made for easy detail stripping in the field; reassembly has driven experienced gunsmiths to distraction.

Jim

Jim

January 29, 2006, 03:02 AM	#1
smokey68dart Junior Member Join Date: January 29, 2006 Posts: 2	need help with a Manufacture Date i was just given a colt auto it is a .32 and i think it is a 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 but i want to find out when it was made and a ballpark price for it it has most of the blueing on it and it has some bare spots on the edges but it still shoots good but the SN# is 230xxx it has the org. colt grips on it and the clip is marked cal .32 colt if there is any other info you need just ask thanks for the help

January 29, 2006, 10:07 AM	#2
deadin Junior member Join Date: September 6, 2005 Location: Ocean Shores, WA Posts: 1,052	If it is a M1903 Hammerless it would be a Type III and would have been made in 1916/17. Dean

January 29, 2006, 06:14 PM	#3
smokey68dart Junior Member Join Date: January 29, 2006 Posts: 2	any ideas on the value of it? is it something to use,trade off,save??? and what do you mean by type III

January 29, 2006, 07:39 PM	#4
deadin Junior member Join Date: September 6, 2005 Location: Ocean Shores, WA Posts: 1,052	There are about 4 recognized variations of this model. Type III is the 3rd variation. As to value, I've kind of lost track on Colt values. Maybe someone else will chime in. Dean

January 30, 2006, 12:26 AM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	That gun is what is called a Type III, the most common. Serial numbers were 105,051 - 468,096, manufactured from 1910 to 1926. Quite a few of those guns turn up in very good to near-perfect condition, since they were often bought as "bureau drawer" guns and never fired. Value runs from around $200 to about $800+, with 10-12 percent extra for the original box and papers. Yours probably falls into the $500 range. FYI, the Type I is the first type (1-71,999) with the barrel bushing and no magazine safety; barrel length is 4". Type II (72,000 - 105,050) is the same, but with a 3 3/4" barrel. Type III is what you have, with no bushing and no magazine safety. Type IV (468097 - 572214) has a magazine safety; this type includes the much desired military style pistols, with the "U.S. Property" mark, which were bought for arming general officers, the OSS and other personnel who wanted or needed an unobtrusive pistol. As to sell or keep, that gun is the most rugged and reliable .32 auto ever made, bar none. While it is single action, and its safety is less than optimal for a defense gun, it is still a fine gun for its size and caliber. One note: do NOT, repeat NOT, try to disassemble it beyond removal of slide and barrel for cleaning. It is NOT a 1911, and was NOT made for easy detail stripping in the field; reassembly has driven experienced gunsmiths to distraction. Jim Jim