Aquired an old pistol...whats it worth?

Biggmatt · February 20, 2017, 01:57 PM

Hello Folks,

I'm rather new to this forum and need some assistance from the pro's.
I just acquired a Colt .32 automatic rimless smokeless pistol, serial #393309. The side of the slide says"patented Apr. 20, 1897. Dec. 22, 1903".

I'm sorry I do not have pictures at the moment as i'm at work. The gun seems to be in good condition and came with one magazine. None of the bluing is coming off. It has some light to moderate wear on it that could probable be cleaned up with some gun oil.

Can someone give me a ballpark price as to what this may be worth? I'm not looking to sell it I just want to know what I have.

Thank You!!!

David R · February 20, 2017, 02:16 PM

I have one, if its a 1903 Colt.

There should be a witness mark on the slide so you can push it back a little, then turn the barrel for disassembly. Nice shooting gun.

They are now making new ones.

worth? 200-800 In other words, I have no idea.
David.

Jim Watson · February 20, 2017, 03:11 PM

You describe a Colt Pocket Hammerless .32 Type III (no barrel bushing, no magazine safety) made about 1921.

I can't help with a current dollar value, I paid $400 for mine several years ago.
But if you "acquired" yours by purchase or trade, surely you gave what you thought was reasonable for it. If it was a gift or inheritance, just enjoy.

Chris_B · February 20, 2017, 03:33 PM

Matt, this is certainly the pistol you mean:

This one was made in 1920. Condition is of course everything. I paid 500 for mine, and it had two original very good condition magazines.

Biggmatt · February 20, 2017, 04:08 PM

Chris B, that is exactly what I have.
This gun was given to me by someone who just wanted it out of the house due to having kids around. I'm curious to see how it will clean up with a gun oil cloth. I believe it to be in good condition and believe it will definitely fire based on the quick inspection I gave it.
I only have (1) magazine for it but the mag seems to be in good condition as well.

I just ran the serial number on Colt's website and this is what I found:
Year 1921
1903 HAMMERLESS .32.

jmhyer · February 20, 2017, 05:32 PM

Very nice acquisition. Certainly worth a lot more than you paid for it.

Why can't I find people who'll just give me guns?

BoogieMan · February 20, 2017, 05:46 PM

I was left one by my father, I allowed my sister to keep it. Missed it so much I snapped up the first one I found. I paid $500 for a 1929 with 2 original and 2 extra magazines. Its in VGC except for the palm safety which was scribed with someones name. Poorly. I as well as most people would consider this a pretty good deal. You can find ammo at a reasonable price on sgammo.com. They are fantastic shooting guns. Smooth as silk and the 32 cartridge has very little recoil. FYI- it is recommended that this gun not be carried with a round in the chamber. If the gun drops in the "perfect scenario" its possible that it will fire. They are not truly a hammerless gun. Hammer is inside of the slide.
http://www.coltautos.com/mmpd.htm
About 3/4 down on page- http://www.tactical-life.com/combat-...tia-discharge/

Chris_B · February 20, 2017, 06:42 PM

Good deal? I'll say!

The sights are microscopic, but it hardly seems to matter; accurate little things. Fun to shoot.

Biggmatt · February 21, 2017, 07:39 AM

Thanks y'all for the swift responses I greatly appreciate it.

I cant wait to clean it up and shoot it. I haven't shot .32 in a long long time. My wife will enjoy shooting this gun.

RickB · February 21, 2017, 11:44 AM

I'd recommend against detail stripping in the clean-up process.
Many accounts on the web of major difficulty in reassembly.
Twice I've sat down and started to disassemble mine, then decided that nothing is broken, so why?
I soaked mine in a pan of CLP, agitating and cycling occasionally to dislodge anything, then flush and a drip-dry.
Definitely a fun shooter if you can see the sights.

Biggmatt · February 21, 2017, 09:07 PM

RickB, I also use CLP that stuff works great for me.
I did not plan on stripping it down. It seems to cycle just fine. Just a good wipe down and lube job should do it.

Rinspeed · February 21, 2017, 09:27 PM

Very cool pistol you picked up Matt, I have it's big brother the 1908 which is .380 and mine was made in 1922. Condition of the bluing and being original is everything to a collector. Prices have been going up over the years as with most older Colts but check out gunbroker for one in similar condition. I've seen them go for $400 up to $1500 or more. As always if you happen to have the box that might add one or two hundred.

Ibmikey · February 23, 2017, 08:16 AM

I also was given a 1903 many years ago and can add my praise of one of Mr. Brownings eariler semi auto pistol endeavors. A hundred and fifteen years old and still in great demand today.

HisSoldier · February 24, 2017, 07:19 PM

Quote:

This gun was given to me by someone who just wanted it out of the house due to having kids around.

Makes me want to post a classified in NY city; "Helping you free of your fears! I will take any gun from your property safely and legally and dispose of it properly". (For a small fee

)

bn12gg · February 24, 2017, 08:57 PM

Go to GunBroker taking a peak at a dozen or so 1903 32acp's for auction. Start prices or buy now prices should give you an idea of value. You need to determine if the gun has been refinished or not as refinish drops value a bunch.

.02

David.

tallball · February 24, 2017, 09:30 PM

I stalked them on Gunbroker for months and months. Finally I found one that had been refinished and for some reason it had hardly any bids. I got it for $330 or something They generally cost quite a bit more. It is a great shooter, one of my favorites out of very many.

bn12gg · February 25, 2017, 07:19 AM

Tallball - the 1903 just feels perfect in the hand. Solid, steel' with perfect balance and pointability. Nice ones in their birthday blue push a grand with the 380acp big brother 1908 going normally for quite abit more.

.02. David.

tallball · February 25, 2017, 09:39 AM

I knew I was getting a deal. It had been reblued and has new grips. They are nice-shooting guns. I wish I had a 1908 to go with it.

squid8286 · February 26, 2017, 12:57 PM

I have one that was passed to me when my mom died two years ago. It was her father's, then hers. It was made in 1911, according to the Serial # lookup feature on the Colt web-site. It was the only handgun my grandfather ever owned.

P5 Guy · February 27, 2017, 10:53 AM

I had one in 380ACP in about 75% with a little pitting from a wet leather holster I suppose.
I made the mistake of taking too many parts off the frame and spent $80.00 to have it re-assembled. I sold it not long after for $450, That was about em years ago.

February 20, 2017, 01:57 PM	#1
Biggmatt Member Join Date: May 3, 2014 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 22	Aquired an old pistol...whats it worth? Hello Folks, I'm rather new to this forum and need some assistance from the pro's. I just acquired a Colt .32 automatic rimless smokeless pistol, serial #393309. The side of the slide says"patented Apr. 20, 1897. Dec. 22, 1903". I'm sorry I do not have pictures at the moment as i'm at work. The gun seems to be in good condition and came with one magazine. None of the bluing is coming off. It has some light to moderate wear on it that could probable be cleaned up with some gun oil. Can someone give me a ballpark price as to what this may be worth? I'm not looking to sell it I just want to know what I have. Thank You!!!

February 20, 2017, 05:46 PM	#7
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	I was left one by my father, I allowed my sister to keep it. Missed it so much I snapped up the first one I found. I paid $500 for a 1929 with 2 original and 2 extra magazines. Its in VGC except for the palm safety which was scribed with someones name. Poorly. I as well as most people would consider this a pretty good deal. You can find ammo at a reasonable price on sgammo.com. They are fantastic shooting guns. Smooth as silk and the 32 cartridge has very little recoil. FYI- it is recommended that this gun not be carried with a round in the chamber. If the gun drops in the "perfect scenario" its possible that it will fire. They are not truly a hammerless gun. Hammer is inside of the slide. http://www.coltautos.com/mmpd.htm About 3/4 down on page- http://www.tactical-life.com/combat-...tia-discharge/ __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

February 21, 2017, 11:44 AM	#10
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I'd recommend against detail stripping in the clean-up process. Many accounts on the web of major difficulty in reassembly. Twice I've sat down and started to disassemble mine, then decided that nothing is broken, so why? I soaked mine in a pan of CLP, agitating and cycling occasionally to dislodge anything, then flush and a drip-dry. Definitely a fun shooter if you can see the sights. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

February 27, 2017, 10:53 AM	#20
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,804	Had One Now Sold I had one in 380ACP in about 75% with a little pitting from a wet leather holster I suppose. I made the mistake of taking too many parts off the frame and spent $80.00 to have it re-assembled. I sold it not long after for $450, That was about em years ago.

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February 20, 2017, 02:16 PM	#2
David R Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2015 Location: The swamps of WNY Posts: 753	I have one, if its a 1903 Colt. There should be a witness mark on the slide so you can push it back a little, then turn the barrel for disassembly. Nice shooting gun. They are now making new ones. worth? 200-800 In other words, I have no idea. David.

February 20, 2017, 03:11 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	You describe a Colt Pocket Hammerless .32 Type III (no barrel bushing, no magazine safety) made about 1921. I can't help with a current dollar value, I paid $400 for mine several years ago. But if you "acquired" yours by purchase or trade, surely you gave what you thought was reasonable for it. If it was a gift or inheritance, just enjoy.

February 20, 2017, 03:33 PM	#4
Chris_B Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Posts: 3,101	Matt, this is certainly the pistol you mean: This one was made in 1920. Condition is of course everything. I paid 500 for mine, and it had two original very good condition magazines.

February 20, 2017, 04:08 PM	#5
Biggmatt Member Join Date: May 3, 2014 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 22	Chris B, that is exactly what I have. This gun was given to me by someone who just wanted it out of the house due to having kids around. I'm curious to see how it will clean up with a gun oil cloth. I believe it to be in good condition and believe it will definitely fire based on the quick inspection I gave it. I only have (1) magazine for it but the mag seems to be in good condition as well. I just ran the serial number on Colt's website and this is what I found: Year 1921 1903 HAMMERLESS .32.

February 20, 2017, 05:32 PM	#6
jmhyer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2012 Location: MS - USA Posts: 899	Very nice acquisition. Certainly worth a lot more than you paid for it. Why can't I find people who'll just give me guns?

February 20, 2017, 06:42 PM	#8
Chris_B Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Posts: 3,101	Good deal? I'll say! The sights are microscopic, but it hardly seems to matter; accurate little things. Fun to shoot.

February 21, 2017, 07:39 AM	#9
Biggmatt Member Join Date: May 3, 2014 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 22	Thanks y'all for the swift responses I greatly appreciate it. I cant wait to clean it up and shoot it. I haven't shot .32 in a long long time. My wife will enjoy shooting this gun.

February 21, 2017, 09:07 PM	#11
Biggmatt Member Join Date: May 3, 2014 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 22	RickB, I also use CLP that stuff works great for me. I did not plan on stripping it down. It seems to cycle just fine. Just a good wipe down and lube job should do it.

February 21, 2017, 09:27 PM	#12
Rinspeed Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Posts: 1,505	Very cool pistol you picked up Matt, I have it's big brother the 1908 which is .380 and mine was made in 1922. Condition of the bluing and being original is everything to a collector. Prices have been going up over the years as with most older Colts but check out gunbroker for one in similar condition. I've seen them go for $400 up to $1500 or more. As always if you happen to have the box that might add one or two hundred.

February 23, 2017, 08:16 AM	#13
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	I also was given a 1903 many years ago and can add my praise of one of Mr. Brownings eariler semi auto pistol endeavors. A hundred and fifteen years old and still in great demand today.

February 24, 2017, 08:57 PM	#15
bn12gg Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Winter Park, Florida Posts: 470	Go to GunBroker taking a peak at a dozen or so 1903 32acp's for auction. Start prices or buy now prices should give you an idea of value. You need to determine if the gun has been refinished or not as refinish drops value a bunch. .02 David.

February 24, 2017, 09:30 PM	#16
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	I stalked them on Gunbroker for months and months. Finally I found one that had been refinished and for some reason it had hardly any bids. I got it for $330 or something They generally cost quite a bit more. It is a great shooter, one of my favorites out of very many.

February 25, 2017, 07:19 AM	#17
bn12gg Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Winter Park, Florida Posts: 470	Tallball - the 1903 just feels perfect in the hand. Solid, steel' with perfect balance and pointability. Nice ones in their birthday blue push a grand with the 380acp big brother 1908 going normally for quite abit more. .02. David.

February 25, 2017, 09:39 AM	#18
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	I knew I was getting a deal. It had been reblued and has new grips. They are nice-shooting guns. I wish I had a 1908 to go with it.

February 26, 2017, 12:57 PM	#19
squid8286 Junior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 5	I have one that was passed to me when my mom died two years ago. It was her father's, then hers. It was made in 1911, according to the Serial # lookup feature on the Colt web-site. It was the only handgun my grandfather ever owned.