Three '03s

[gunsammler]

As promised in the new member forum, I'll be posting my first three 1903 hammerless autos. It's interesting to see the changes over time.

The first is circa 1905. Sadly, it's refinished and did not come with a factory mag. Out of the three, this was intended to be the shooter.

The grips are interesting. According to Brunner, there were "plain wood" grips available 1912-1922. These don't look home-made, but the profile is slightly different than his examples. Are they new? I can take pics of the backs if anyone's interested.

Other flaws include a broken safety screw and a missing recoil spring guide. I'd be interested in seeing photos of an original early guide (hollow?) if someone could provide some. (OK, it's not JUST a shooter. I'm studying it as much as the others).

left_side_25.jpgright_side_25.jpg

-gunsammler

[Oyeboten]

Please do post some images of the reverse sides of the Stocks.

At a glance, I am pretty sure they are home-made...nicely done, other than not quite centering correctly on the Frame.

Note - on the left side - the Stock is too far forward.

[gunsammler]

Looking at it now, it looks like most (if not all) of what you're pointing out in alignment is a lighting issue. They look the same in my hand now, though there is some play when the screw is loose (as there is on the factory checkered walnut on pistol #3 yet to be posted). Anyway, here they are:

Attachment 18785Attachment 18784

The "islands" are slightly crushed opposite the screw holes on both (center of the second photo). They're slightly offset The checkered walnuts have these same marks in the same place. I don't see anything on the pistols that would cause these marks, so I assume they're from manufacturing fixtures. Also, the "islands" have similar bevels. I've just taken another photo to illustrate both similarities (circled):
Attachment 18786

I look forward to your thoughts.

[Mike Faires]

Pictures don't work

[gunsammler]

Trying again.
grips_outside.jpggrips_inside_best.jpggrips_compare.jpg

[twaits]

Perhaps you should letter this one? If it shipped with walnut it will either say this or unspecified. The backs certainly look factory.

[Oyeboten]

Yes, the reverse sides of the Stocks do look so perfectly done and tidy, and the Planer 'scallops' being intact in the field, it could well be a Colt Factory offering of the day.

How cool!


Glad to hear I was concerned about an accidental lighting issue, and, that both Stocks fit nicely and evenly.


One pretty well never 'plain' and unchecked Walnut Stocks on any of the Automatics other than the Model 1900.

[gunsammler]

I'll have to think about lettering it. Seems like a losing issue on a refinished pistol, but you do have my curiosity up now!

Here's the second one, circa 1921.

right_side_25.jpgleft_side_25.jpg

Shorter slide, different barrel bushing, serrations, rollmarks, rear profile. I think I'm going to need more examples to show the changes one by one .

[gunsammler]

And here's my third, circa 1926. Tried some natural lighting this time. This one has the magazine safety.

right_side_25.jpgleft_side_25.jpg

[Oyeboten]

What is 'the Magazine Safety'?

Is it a change to the Pistol's mechanism which prevents it from firing if the Magazine is removed?